Ever since the Modi Government has risen to power, the women of India are being empowered, and rightfully so. In what can be seen as an another move to strengthen the stature of women in the society, female commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will be deployed to provide Z-plus security to several leaders.
Women to provide Z+ security:
For the first time in Indian history, the CRPF, which also looks after VIP security, will deploy its first batch of women commandos comprising of 32 female combatants in VVIP security detail of some leaders. Under the newly inducted decision, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s wife Gursharan Kaur will be facilitated.
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A spokesperson of the paramilitary force reported, “In 2019, we started a VIP security wing and initially it had only men. However, we started training women to be part of the team and now the women will be posted with the VIPs by the second week of January.”
The spokesperson told that the women personnel would be deployed for the security of three women but “on a need basis’’. However, he added that will they will also be deployed for other Z+ category protectees.
Congress party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asserted, “The Congress president and Ms Gandhi Vadra had not asked for women personnel because they believe in the professionalism of the force.’’
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The women commandos have recently finished their 10-week training in rendering VIP security duties, unarmed combat, body frisking, and special weapons firing.
As per the reports, the women commandos will be a part of the house protection team of these VIPs, and if required, they will also accompany them during the forthcoming assembly polls in the five states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur, and Goa.
It is pertinent to note that Special Protection Group (SPG) security of the Gandhi-family along with former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was pulled out in November 2019. Thus, they were provided Z plus cover of the CRPF.
SPG Amendment Act, 2019:
VIP protection responsibilities in 2019 witnessed a change in law when it limited the SPG providing security for the Prime Minister or former prime ministers and their families for a maximum of five years.
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As reported by TFI earlier, the new Amendment Act provides for SPG cover to the Prime Minister and his immediate family members residing with him at his official residence. Moreover, the bill also provides SPG cover to former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members residing at the allotted residence, for a period of five years from the date he/she ceases to hold the office.
Prior to the amendment, under the SPG Act of 1988, the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and his immediate family members were provided security cover up to a period of only one year, and beyond that, on the level of threat — based on an assessment by the Central Government on an annual basis.
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Despite the Congress party’s apparent women-appeasement politics, the party could not ensure women’s induction in Z+ security detail during their 70 years of tenure as the rulers of the country. On the contrary, the Modi government walks the talk, as it rightfully defines women empowerment.