Republic Day Special- Women CRPF Jawans Making the Nation Proud

As every Indian citizen is gearing up to celebrate the 74th Republic Day on 26th January 2023, the armed forces and the police forces of the nation are continually trying to keep our borders secure and eliminate any insider threat that can potentially disrupt the peace and calm. In a profession that has been dominated by men for far too long, women in the Indian Police Force are steadily gaining prominence in pivotal combat roles. 

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The Central Reserve Police Force, also known as the CRPF, has been involved with counter-insurgency operations for a long time now. It is considered the largest para-military force in the world. From battling insurgents in the North-East to countering threats in the central regions of the country, CRPF has become one of the most prominent wings of the police forces. The involvement of strong and fearless women standing at the forefront and ensuring the safety of the public is another added aspect of the pride the organization boasts of.

To commemorate the iconic day as India completes seventy-three years of being a republic, let us take a look at some of the courageous and brave women CRPF jawans making all of us proud.

Kamlesh Kumari

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A posthumous recipient of the Ashoka Chakra, the highest possible award conferred during peacetime, the late constable Kamlesh Kumari passed away after successfully preventing gunmen and a suicide bomber from reaching the Parliament building during the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament. Her alertness upon realizing that the car approaching the building was a threat turned out to be a crucial moment as the alarm she raised despite being attacked gave the other security personnel enough time to prevent the ambush from being fatal for one and all.

Bindu Kumre

The late constable Bindu Kumre was one of the many brave hearts in the 88 women’s battalion of the CRPF. On 16th January 2001, she was martyred while battling the terrorists at the Srinagar airport. She suffered bullet injuries when trying to neutralize the threat. She was able to save a lot of her colleagues from the militant attack and became the second woman soldier to die fighting militancy in the valley. Originally hailing from a small town in Madhya Pradesh, she still commands a lot of respect and appreciation for the ultimate sacrifice she made for the nation.

Bimla Devi

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Hailing from the 88th women's battalion of the CRPF, Bimla Devi was a part of the mission sent to Sri Lanka on behalf of the Indian Peace Keeping Forces. She was a constable back in 1988 and had been promoted to a higher rank of assistant subinspector since then. On 31st August 1988, a minibus traveling from Jaffna to Colombo was intercepted by Bimla Devi at the Elephant Pass checkpost frisking point. She was able to recover numerous detonators from the bus and apprehended the culprits who could’ve caused significant damage. Bimla Devi was decorated with the ‘Sena Medal’ for her devotion to her duty.

Santo Devi

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On 5th July 2005, a group of suicide bombers attacked the premises of the Ram Janam Bhoomi/Babri Masjid complex in Ayodhya. Soldiers of CRPF from multiple battalions were guarding the spot, but the terrorists were able to blast the outer barricade and advance to the inner isolation zone. That was when Smt. Santo Devi of the C/135 Mahila Battalion, the then assistant commandant, worked to provide the other constables with support amidst heavy firing. She thwarted the attack through her timely intervention as she, along with her colleagues, were able to retaliate which prompted the militants to retreat from the isolation zone. She undertook the responsibility of a safe evacuation of the pilgrims from the inner sanctum and ensured no civilian lives were lost despite the onslaught. She was awarded the President’s Police Medal of Gallantry in 2006 for her display of valor.

CRPF has been taking numerous steps to ensure more involvement from women in the reserve. It was the first organization in the world to have an all-women battalion in 1986, and now there are six ‘Mahila’ battalions while women also form a part of the 15 RAF battalions. They have been deployed to combat extremism and terrorism in even the remotest parts of the country, and the women warriors have proven their grit and mettle by reinstating peace in many of the locations hit by insurgency and militancy. They are also getting inducted into the reputed CoBRA battalions for jungle warfare in the Maoist-hit regions.

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Not only as soldiers, but women in CRPF made the nation proud by exhibiting their impressive motorcycle-borne acrobatics during the Republic Day parade of 2020. The jaw-dropping stunts performed by the jawans have earned widespread acclaim and applause. They have also demonstrated their capabilities in the world of games and sports. Ms. Kunju Rani Devi, a commandant in the CRPF has won many national and international medals for her caliber in weightlifting. She has been honored with the Arjuna Award and the Padmashree. Women CRPF personnel have also been securing top ranks in the National Aquatic Championship, Commonwealth Games, and National Shooting Championship for many years now.

These courageous women have taken a step forth to ensure more representation from the gender, and their valor getting appreciated is another feather in the cap that tells extraordinary tales of bravery. Cheers to these women and the stories of empowerment they carry as a part of their legacy!