Kerala: Women cops in undercover operations

Kochi: In an initiative to open  new avenues for women personnel in the force, the Kerala police has started deploying them in undercover operations. Ernakulam Rural Police has deployed three women personnel on field duty in Special Branch wing on an experimental basis. “This is the first time women are assigned the tough assignment anywhere in the state. Their duty involves collecting information of all important developments in their assigned area well in advance through undercover operations and report the same to top officers on time,” said Raveendran V.G., deputy superintendent of police, district Special Branch.

Among others, the personnel will have to collect details about agitations being planned by various political outfits and social groups, threats if any to law and order situation, gathering secret information of presence of criminal gangs or drug rackets among others. “Such women personnel will be given specialised training, especially in self defense. Besides they will be constantly given guidance on how to go about specific assignments,” the officer said.

The trio was selected on the basis of interview held by Ernakulam rural superintendent A.V. George from a group of personnel who expressed desire to work in the specialised wing. “If the move yields results, we will be deploying more women personnel in the wing,” Mr George said.