Extending its inclusive stance to policing in Maoist-infested Bastar division, the Chhattisgarh police have selected nine transgender persons for its special force ‘Bastar Fighters’.
In all, 2,100 local youth have been selected for the special force and the selection list was issued on Independence Day. The objective of the force is to ensure employment opportunities as well as positive contribution of the local youth for peace, security and development in the conflict-hit area, a government note said.
Three hundred each will be appointed to posts of constables in Bastar, Dantewada, Kanker, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Sukma and Kondagaon. Of the nine transgender persons, eight are from Kanker district while one is from Bastar.
In a statement to THE WEEK, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said, “The force will comprise of local youth, who are well acquainted with the terrain, language and the demography of the region. Taking forward the government’s policy of inclusive development in Bastar, this recruitment has the potential to disrupt the status quo and will take the fight to the Naxals’ court.”
“Not only this, these fighters will aid the government in implementation of schemes and development of infrastructure. We are hopeful that this would be an important milestone in the Government’s effort to finish left-wing extremism (LWE) in the state completely,” he said.
In March 2021, too, 13 transgender persons had been recruited as constables in Chhattisgarh police in four districts, the CM said. “We want to ensure inclusion of all sections of society in our journey towards development and peace. This step will help in mainstreaming the third gender people and serve as an example for others in the society to follow.”
New dimension to policing in Bastar
Inspector General (IG) of Police of Bastar range Sundarraj P. told THE WEEK, “Bastar Fighters constable recruitment has opened up new avenues for the local youth of the region to actively contribute for the peace and development of Bastar. Focus was on recruiting youth from interior regions of Bastar, who were earlier disadvantaged with inaccessibility, lack of communication facilities, educational facilities and other such challenges.”
The IG said that to encourage youth with local knowledge, bonus marks (maximum of 20 marks) were given to candidates who are well versed with local tribal dialects like Gondi, Halbi, and others.
Highlighting the selection of the transgender constables, he said that it will add a new dimension to policing in Bastar region. “These nine persons would be trained in Police Training School Mana, Raipur before being inducted for duties,” he said.
“We would try to provide a conducive work atmosphere and facilities to third gender police personnel, so that they don't feel any kind of discrimination within the force. All other police personnel also would be sensitised to be accommodative and helpful to their transgender counterparts,” Sundarraj said.
“We are hopeful that the Bastar Fighters would bring in lot of positivity to Bastar region in near future,” he added.
53,336 applied for the 2,100 posts
A lot of excitement was seen among the youth in the Bastar division for the Bastar Fighters constable hiring process as 53,336 applied for the 2,100 posts. Of these, about 5405 candidates qualified in the physical dexterity test (100 marks) conducted in May-June. A total of 5,330 candidates participated in this written exam worth 50 marks on July 17.
Based on the total marks obtained in the physical dexterity test and the written test, 3,969 candidates were interviewed (20 marks), from August 1-10. On this basis, the selection and waiting lists for the 2,100 posts of Bastar Fighters constables were released on August 15, a government note said.
