New Delhi, Sept. 8 (Agencies): The Indian Army has finalised a plan to induct women in the corps of military police, a senior officer said Friday.

The plan—being seen as a major step towards breaking gender barriers in the force—is to induct approximately 800 women in the corps of military police with a yearly intake of 52 a year, Lt. Gen. Ashwani Kumar, the adjutant general, told reporters.

In an interview to PTI in June, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had said the Army was looking at inducting women jawans and the process would start with the induction of women into the CMP.

The CMP’s officers come on postings from regular army units.

Lt. Gen. Kumar said the decision to induct women in the CMP would help in investigating allegations of gender specific crimes.

Currently, women are allowed in select areas such as medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the Army.

The CMP, distinctive in their red berets and white belts, polices cantonments and army establishments, prevents breach of rules and regulations by soldiers, maintains movement of soldiers and logistics during peace and war, handles prisoners of war and extends aid to civil police whenever required.