Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi on Thursday flagged off Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) women biker rally from India Gate in the National Capital.

The 75 CRPF female ‘Daredevils’ have embarked on the 1,848-km bike rally from Delhi here to Naxalite-infested Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh.

“Happy to flag off the CRPF Women Bike Expedition from the iconic India Gate, Kartavya Path. The expedition will traverse more than 1,800 kms to Left-Wing Extremism-affected Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh showcasing the resilience and strength of #NariShakti. #NariShaktiForNewIndia,” Lekhi said in a tweet.

Spreading the message of women empowerment and that Naxalism or Maoism is on the verge of exit, the women’s bike rally will culminate on March 25 at Jagdalpur where the CRPF Day Parade is being held on the same day in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The 75 women CRPF bikers will cover nearly five states during their 17-day journey on Royal Enfield motorcycles.

At India Gate, CRPF’s women personnel showcased rifle drill, as well as a presentation by women pipe band and drummers, were also displayed at the event.

“As the country is celebrating the 75th year of India’s independence, 75 women bikers of CRPF will cover five states in their 1,848 km ride during their journey from here at India Gate to Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. This women’s bike rally will culminate in Jagdalpur on March 25, the day when we will be celebrating the CRPF Anniversary Parade in presence of Home Minister Amit Shah,” CRPF Director General Sujoy Lal Thaosen told a news agency.

“During their journey, the women bikers will be in touch with school children, Aanganwadi workers and those working with self-help groups. They will inspire them too.”

The DG said several women bikers participating in the rally were not able to ride bikes earlier, but they were trained and now they have the experience of riding on bikes of nearly 300 km at one go.

Thaosen further said the bike rally and CRPF Anniversary Parade celebration in Jagdalpur will give a big message that the day is not far when Naxalism will be completely rooted out from the country.

Lekhi also told a news agency that the women’s bike rally from India Gate in Delhi to Chhattisgarh’s naxal bastion Jagdalpur gives a “clear message for women that we are sensitive as well as protectors of India.”

“CRPF has almost ended Naxalism and Jagdalpur is the most Naxal affected area where the women bikers of the force are

going with a message of peace, security and goodwill,” Lekhi said.

The CRPF, a force with nearly 3.5 lakh personnel, is responsible to ensure security in Naxal-affected areas across the country as well as in terror-hit Jammu and Kashmir.