New Delhi (PTI): For the first time in its history, the Delhi Police will have an all-women contingent marching down the Kartavya Path during the Republic Day parade on January 26, officials have said.
To provide a fillip to gender equality and women empowerment, the marching contingent of the Delhi Police will comprise only women personnel, they said, adding that 80 per cent of the participants from the force in the 75th Republic Day parade this year are from the northeastern states.
According to the city police, it follows a policy of recruiting people from the eight states in the northeast to "bridge the gap" between the force and the people from that region.
Shweta K Sugathan, an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, will lead the marching contingent of 194 female head constables and constables of the force, an officer said.
The participants practise daily at the Kartyava Path, he added.
According to Special Commissioner of Police (Armed Police) Robin Hibu, all the members of the contingent will take part in the parade for the first time this year and are "very excited".
"The marching contingent has been selected from the armed unit of our force and a majority of them are from the northeastern states," Hibu said, adding that they will represent the people from the northeast in the Delhi Police.
Hibu said the Delhi Police has added another feather in its cap this year as the women's pipe band will be led by a female officer -- constable Ruyangunuo Kense.
The band comprising 135 head constables and constables will play the "Delhi Police Song", he added.
Last year, a female-dedicated pipe band was inducted in the parade, but it was led by a male inspector, Rajender Singh.
Another officer said the all-women marching contingent will "definitely be the centre of attraction" during the parade.
The defence ministry had last year asked all the forces, state governments and departments participating in the Republic Day parade to have women participants in their contingents, bands and tableaux.
The Delhi Police's marching contingent has a unique distinction of participating in every Republic Day parade since the country became a republic on January 26, 1950, officials said.
It has been adjudged the best marching contingent 15 times -- the last being in 2021. Its motto is "Shanti, Seva aur Nyaya" -- "Peace, Service and Justice".
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Tbilisi, Dec 16: Twelve Indian nationals were found dead at a restaurant in Georgia's mountain resort of Gudauri, according to the Indian mission here.
Georgia's Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement that no signs of injuries or signs of violence were detected in an initial inspection. All victims died from carbon monoxide poisoning, local media reported, citing police.
The Indian mission in Tbilisi said that all 12 victims were Indian nationals. However, Georgia's internal affairs ministry statement said 11 were foreigners while one victim was its citizen.
It added that the bodies of all victims, employees in the same Indian restaurant, were found in bedrooms on the second floor of the facility.
"Mission has just learned about the death of 12 Indian nationals in Gudauri, Georgia. Deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Mission is in touch with the local authorities to get details of the Indian nationals who lost their lives. All possible assistance will be given," the Indian mission here said in a statement.
The police started an investigation under Article 116 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which implies negligent manslaughter.
According to the preliminary investigation, a power generator was placed in an indoor area, a closed space near the bedrooms, which was turned on, probably after the power supply was turned off on Friday night.
A forensic medical examination has also been appointed to determine the "exact cause of death".
Investigative actions are "actively" being carried out, with forensic-criminalistics working on the spot, and interviews of persons related to the case are being conducted.