Monday, September 18 2006 16:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: To curb involvement of women in crimes along the sensitive Bangladesh border, India's Border Security Force (BSF) is planning to deploy women constables on the frontier.

According to news reports, the BSF regional office has sent a proposal to the central government two months ago seeking its nod in view of the growing number of women involved in border crimes, particularly smuggling and girl-running.

The force, which mans the 4,100-km international boundary, now has women working only in clerical posts.

"The Centre has agreed to our proposal in principle. We expect a formal approval any day," said Damodar Sarengi, additional director general of BSF's eastern region.

"Recruitment will start once the formal nod comes," he said.

"The situation along the Bangladesh border is changing and so creation of a women's force was necessary," Sarengi said.

Somesh Goyal, the inspector general of the BSF's south Bengal frontier, said troopers are charged with "rape" whenever they catch women smugglers.

"Our soldiers are also often accused of excesses when they catch women or boys involved in smuggling across the border. If they are always tense while dealing with women, how will they work?" he asked.

BSF sources said in many of the cases the troopers were only performing their duties when they were falsely implicated.

"The women are engaged in sugar and medicine smuggling and children are used for narcotics," said Goyal.

The force had earlier asked local police to provide some women constables to assist its soldiers but the proposal was refused, prompting them to go for a women brigade plan.

"We have proposed to the BSF director general to at least provide some women constables on deputation from other forces like the Central Reserve Police Force," Goyal said.