Chhattisgarh government to raise women's battalion

Chhattisgarh government will set up an armed battalion of women to deal with the law and order situation and deploy it in the naxal-infested areas if needed.

"Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has given in-principle nod for formation of the women battalion. The battalion will, however, not be used in anti-naxal combat operations," said N K Aswal, chief secretary of Home department.

Informing that the chief minister has already directed the Home department to start the procedure for setting up the women battalion, Aswal said that the state government has decided to reduce number of women in the district police forces stationed in the naxal-dominated areas.

"The reservation for women police in the district police forces has been reduced to 10 percent from previous 30 percent. However, quota for women will continue at 30 percent in the field area," Aswal said.

The Chhattisgarh Armed Forces currently have sixteen battalions in the state, and after formation of the exclusive women unit, it will be the 17th battalion, he added.