Manning borders? BSF says women can do it too

TIMES CHANGE: With times, even the armed forces seem to be changing.

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New Delhi: Manning our borders has been a man's job for the Border Security Force. However, with times, even the armed forces seem to be changing. Women have become an integral part of security forces in India and the BSF is planning to explore its feminine side. It plans to induct women into its ranks.

The decision expedited by the fact that it has no proper facilities to search and interrogate women detained from border areas. Officials say there are quite a few cases where women have been arrested while smuggling arms and drugs.

“We have a lot of problem while we interrogate the ladies. We generally try to take help of local villagers and ask the headman to provide some ladies but it's a temporary and hushed up arrangement,” says AK Mitra, DGP BSF, India.

Joining the BSF is an idea that seems to have found many takers. “Our women can move ahead if they have confidence in themselves,” says Poonam, a lady who believes in women empowerment.

However, the plan has hit a rough patch. While BSF wants to raise a separate battalion for women with women officers, like in the CRPF. The government however, is not keen on the idea. It wants the BSF to recruit women to fill up existing vacancies. A move that many feel is impractical.

“Once ladies become a part of the battalion, there will be it many concurrent problems, especially since BSF has employed in far off areas on the borders. The ladies will also have to be suitable accommodation and we will have to make sure that they are safe and secure,” says AK Mitra.

For the moment, the BSF plans to invite women applicants during its recruitment drive from January to March next year. However, it is still awaiting government go-ahead for appointing women officers.