Wednesday, February 10, 2010

October 07, 2009 16:55 PM

Threat Of Women As POW Reason For Their Non-Combat Role

NEW DELHI, Oct 7 (Bernama) -- The threat of women officers being taken Prisoner of War is one of the reasons why they have not be given any combat roles in the Army, Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor has said.

"Certain issues that we may have to consider include the fact that they can become a prisoner of war which is an undeniable hazard of combat," Kapoor was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India (PTI) in an interview to the first edition of 'Defence Yearbook 2009-2010' brought out by Manas Publications.

Kapoor said that living conditions can be harsh without basic amenities, which is another reason why they have not been assigned any combat roles.

"Notwithstanding the above, the Government did meet the aspirations of the women officers (WOs) seeking Permanent Commission in the Army, albeit in a defined area," Kapoor said.

"There has been progressive expansion in the profile of women in the Army...Government orders have been issued in 2008 offering permanent commission prospectively to WOs to be commissioned in Judge Advocate General (JAG) and Army Education Corps (AEC) of Army. No further role is presently envisaged for WOs," the Army chief said.

He has said in the interview that women officers have prformed well in their duties and have come up to the satisfaction of the Commanders at all levels.

-- BERNAMA

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