Kolkata: The Bengal Police is set to establish two all-women battalions, each comprising 1,003 policewomen, with recruitments anticipated shortly. These battalions, named the Matangini Hazra battalion and the Rani Shiromani battalion, will operate under the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) to enhance the safety of women and children across the state.
A comprehensive proposal regarding this initiative was submitted to the state home secretary on June 16. The proposal has already received approval from Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had proposed the formation of these two battalions soon after assuming office.
The planned recruitment drive aims to fill crucial operational and administrative positions, including two commandants, two deputy commandants, 14 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), 40 inspectors, 90 Sub-Inspectors (SIs), 298 Assistant Sub-Inspectors (ASIs) and wireless operators, 128 police drivers, and 1,340 constables.
These squads of police personnel will be tasked with managing sensitive operations, ensuring women’s security, controlling riot-like situations, executing anti-trafficking drives, and assisting local commissionerates.
“The objective is not only to increase the strength of women in uniform but also to create dedicated forces capable of responding effectively to new policing requirements and attending to modern-day crime-related challenges,” a police officer stated. The new recruits will undergo training in crowd management, operational tactics, investigation support, and protection-related duties, the officer added.
To minimize establishment expenditure and ensure fiscal feasibility, the Rani Shiromani Battalion will be established at the SAP 8th Battalion campus in Barrackpore after the original battalion was relocated to Suti. The location for the Matangini Hazra Battalion will depend on operational mandates and land availability, sources indicated.
