This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

First Batch Of Women Soldiers Inducted In Assam Rifles

Here Are The First Women Soldiers In 181 Years In Assam Rifles
NEW DELHI, INDIA - JANUARY 7: Assam rifles battalion rehearse for the Republic Day Parade on a foggy winter morning at Rajpath on January 7, 2016 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Hindustan Times via Getty Images
NEW DELHI, INDIA - JANUARY 7: Assam rifles battalion rehearse for the Republic Day Parade on a foggy winter morning at Rajpath on January 7, 2016 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Arvind Yadav/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

Wednesday was a historic moment in the 181-year-old history of the Assam Rifles. One hundred women soldiers were welcomed into the force during the passing out parade at the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School in Shokhuvi. These recruits were selected from all over India, and finished their year-long training along with 112 male soldiers. They were inducted in the presence of Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju yesterday.

"I am so proud that our nation is moving forward in accepting the fact that women can do the same job that men can do," said Major Joshi, the officer in-charge of the first batch of women recruits.

These women soldiers will join various battalions in the force, and will search, frisk, and interrogate women, handle female mobs/agitators, be part of mobile check posts, relief and rescue teams during communal clashes and natural calamities, etc.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Assam Rifles inducts 100 women for the 1st time#WomenEmpowermenthttps://t.co/8z2dWituELpic.twitter.com/h00tTJYKVX

— Darjeeling Chronicle (@TheDarjChron) April 7, 2016

They will also help project a "clean image" of the force and help avoid violation of human rights, added Assam Rifles public relations officer Lt Col Rahul Josan.

“This maiden initiative of recruiting women as soldiers, who in the times to come shall form an integral part of the force, is certainly a noble endeavour by the Assam Rifles towards women’s empowerment,” he said.

The woman recruits are reportedly part of the Lushai Training Company, which was named thus as the oldest Assam Rifles battalion was deployed in the Lushai hills from 1898 to 2003.

Contact HuffPost India

Also See On HuffPost:

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.