Ajmer, Aug 2: With pride in their eyes and armed with INSAS rifles, 620 women constables today became part of the CRPF, the country's largest paramilitary force.
 The women will form part of the third exclusive 'mahila' battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and will render internal security duties ranging from controlling large demonstrations to assisting state police forces during law and order disturbances.
 The female combatants have been trained in unarmed fight, weapon handling and various other operational techniques required for police personnel.
 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was present on the occasion along with Union Minister and MP from Ajmer Sachin Pilot, announced Rs two lakh for the new recruits from the Chief Minister's fund.
 The CRPF has numbered the new battalion as 213.
 "These women will now be sent to various parts of the country to begin their duties," Second-in-Command of the unit Shashi Shahidi said.
 "It's a big day for all of us. We are now officially part of the country's lead force for anti-naxal operations, counter-insurgency operations and other security related issues," Annie Anita Toppo, who was adjudged the best cadet, said.
 The maximum number of women in this new contingent hail from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
 The first women's battalion in the force was commissioned in 1986 and the CRPF celebrated the silver jubilee of the inclusion of armed women personnel in its ranks earlier this year in Delhi, with President Pratibha Patil taking the salute.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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