BREAKING the shackles, women are joining the paramilitary and Armed Forces in huge numbers and are participating in counter-terrorism and counter-infiltration operations along the border with Pakistan and Myanmar. Around 200 women have joined as ‘rifle women’ in Assam Rifles, a paramilitary establishment officered by the Indian Army, responsible for guarding the border with Myanmar and carrying counter-insurgency operations in the north east region. The force is celebrating its 136th raising day.

 

Their presence has smoothened the functioning of the security forces in the sensitive locations as they have effectively dealt with the local women population. The force was facing huge difficulty in the search of vehicles carrying women passengers at the borders areas. Now, this has been effectively being dealt by the Rifle Women. They look out for drugs, narcotics, arms and ammunition. Rifle Woman Jagriti, currently deployed in with 3 Assam Rifles in Mizoram, carries out patrolling along the Indo-Myanmar border where drugs and arms are being pushed in by insurgent groups supported by China. Jagriti is from Aravalli district of Gujarat and has completed four years of service.

 

“Earlier, I was deployed in Nagaland and Jammu and Kashmir and took part in counter-insurgency operations,” Jagriti told IANS. Similarly, Sophie Vanlalhmangaihi from Mizoram is deployed at forward locations in Jammu and Kashmir these days. She was engaged in checking smuggling of narcotics, fake currency and weapons through the Sadhana Pass in Jammu and Kashmir. “I was told that I have to go to Kashmir along with other troops. I was happy to serve the country.”