CRPF for the first time appoints Women officer to the post of Inspector General

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For the first time, India’s largest paramilitary force Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has promoted two women officers to the rank of Inspector General .An IG is the head of a sector in CRPF.

Annie Abraham has been appointed as the IG of Rapid Action Force (RAF), while Seema Dhundia has been posted as IG of the Bihar Sector. Both the officers were inducted in CRPF in 1987.

Both the officers have also commanded an all-women Indian police contingent at the United Nations. They have also been decorated with the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Police Medal for Meritorious Service and the 'Ati Utkrisht Sewa Padak' during their service.

The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is a specialised anti-riot force of the CRPF.  It is deployed to assist state police forces for heavy crowd management and also during VIP visits.

The Bihar Sector of CRPF commands about four battalions that are deployed for anti-Naxal operations and other law and order duties, apart from some RAF units and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) units that specialises in jungle warfare.

CRPF is the largest Central Armed Police Force under the Union Home Ministry. It was set up in 1939 as Crown Representative Police. 

The CRPF was the first Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to induct women in combat in 1986. It has six such battalions at present with women constables filling more than 6,000 posts.

Director General of CRPF: Sujoy Lal Thaosen