State to raise first all-woman SRPF battalion at Katol

By Dheeraj Fartode :

SRPF is a force of around 16,000 only male police personnel

PITCHING for greater role for women in combat operations, Maharashtra Police have decided to raise an all-woman group (battalion) of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) at Katol in Nagpur district. At present, women are working in the SRPF, a male dominated combat force, at the posts of peon, cooks and sweepers. Jaganathan Saravanasamy, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Planning and Coordination has written a letter to ADG SRPF and IG SRPF Nagpur pointing out that all women battalion did not exist in the SRPF of Maharashtra police.

“As State Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has directed for raising women battalion of SRPF at Katol in Nagpur district, the Planning and Coordination office of the state police took a decision of raising of battalion,” he said. ADG Jaganathan further directed IGP SRPF Nagpur Range to find sufficient land near Katol for formation of the battalion headquarters. As the SRPF, a combat force, has no women constables or officers, ADG Jaganathan has also directed the IGP SRPF Nagpur Range to prepare and send a detailed proposal to make changes in SRPF Act 1951. SRPF was raised on March 6, 1948, as a special armed force of Maharashtra. Maintaining law and order, disaster management, anti-Naxal operations, security of vital installations, etc., are some if its wide ranging responsibilities.

So far, SRPF is a male dominated force and induction of women would definitely help the force to address the issues relating to gender based violence faced by women. SRPF is a force of almost around 16,000 male police personnel with proud tradition of courage and dedication to duty and bravery. Physical fitness is of utmost importance for SRPF personnel.

The force also deals in crowd and riot control and big festivals. Workings hours for the force are not fixed as the personnel work for 18 hours a day in emergency situations. The force is equipped with modern weapons and artillery including AK series of assault rifles. SRPF is organised into 13 Groups at Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Daund, Solapur, Jalna, Amravati, Hingoli , Dhule and 03 Indian Reserve Battalions at Aurangabad, Gondia and Kolhapur.