BSF unlikely to deploy women guards on Gujarat border

Unlike Punjab, the state of Gujarat will not witness deployment of women battalion of BSF on its international border with Pakistan because “it would not serve any purpose” according to a senior BSF official.

Talking with DeshGujarat at Gujarat Frontier Headquarter in Gandhinagar, a senior BSF official said, “The BSF has formed its first women battalion, mostly to carry out frisking operations of women in border areas, as male officers cannot frisk women. We have Punjab border where farms are located between the fencing and the zero line, and therefore frisking of women is necessary there. Somewhat similar situation also prevails on Bangladesh border where women BSF guards deployment has been planned in near future. In Kashmir, the trafficking of arms under Burkha(veil) is likely to be controlled by deploying women troopers there.”

But in Gujarat, he said there is no such issue. “Whole international border in Gujarat is mixture of Rann and creek area. There are no settlements next to the border, and no substantial movement of women, and therefore deployment of women troopers doesn’t serve any purpose at this juncture,” the officer added.

The officer also said, “During elections, we may deploy women battalion in Gujarat, as women voters are involved.”