In a first, CRPF promotes two non-IPS women officers to IG rank

New Delhi: Annie Abraham and Seema Dhundia, who were part of the first batch of women officers inducted into the CRPF in 1987, have become the first non-IPS officers to be promoted to the rank of Inspector General (IG) in CRPF, reported The Times of India on Thursday. Prior to this, only IPS-rank women officers were promoted to senior ranks within the para-military force. IG Annie Abraham will head the Rapid Action Force (RAF), while IG Seema Dhundia will head the Bihar Sector of CRPF. Abraham was appointed as IG in-charge on October 31, while Dhundia assumed charge of the position October 1.

"Previously, IG Abraham also served as the DIG, Operations, in Kashmir Operations Sector and as DIG CR and Vigilance, while Dhundia served in highly sensitive areas across the country and was also involved in the raising of the 2nd Mahila Battalion of the paramilitary force. Dhundia also served as the contingent commander of the first ever all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) in the UN Mission in Liberia. She served as the DIG in the RAF. Meanwhile, Abraham also commanded the all-female FPU in United Nations Mission in Liberia and served as the DIG Intelligence, in Force Headquarters," reported Times Now.

Both the women officers have been awarded President's Police Medal and Police Medal for meritorious service and Ati Utkrisht Sewa Padak.

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"Last 35 years in CRPF have been challenging given the force's deployment in Jammu & Kashmir and North-East," Abraham said. Adding to this, she said, "The psychological aspect of a woman officer commanding men was fun."

While commenting on a question related to tackling patriarchy as a senior woman officer in Bihar, Dhundia said, "Perhaps that's why CRPF posted me there. The fact that a lady officer could be IG would motivate local women to join the force."

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