Vikram Choudhary
Fighting militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is no longer limited to just men. Women and girls are now picking up the gun to protect themselves and their homes.
They play hockey in Chak de India but in real life, young girls in remote border villages in Jammu and Kashmir are doing their bit for their country.
18-year-old Sona helps her mother with the household chores but soon she will also be protecting her neighbours from militants.
”I and my mother both have undergone this training. Now even if militants come when my father is not at home, we can protect ourselves and our house,” said Sona Devi, VDC member, Sarya village.
27 women from this border village of Naushera have been trained to use AK-47s and other heavy-duty weapons. They will now be part of the village defence committees.
”For self defence and for the defence of the country, women should also come forward. Women should come out of their homes.
”I want to tell them that they should also learn how to use guns,” said Sunita, VDC member, Sarya village.
The Indian Army has been training these women. Senior officers believe they are as capable of fighting militants as the men.
”In case of a threat, they can fight it. They will also help us, so that we can also take action.
”There are reports that women terrorists are being trained. These women can help us a lot in checking that,” said Major Gen Rajinder Singh, GOC, DAH mountain division, Naushera.
So far about ninety women have been trained after they volunteered to be on the village defence committees.
A sign of the changing times even when it comes to fighting militancy.
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/convergence
