• Source:JND
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Uttar Pradesh: Women constables at Gorakhpur’s 26th Battalion PAC Centre on Wednesday said they were forced to “bathe in the open,” as they staged a protest over inadequate water, electricity, and privacy arrangements. According to The Indian Express, the protesting group comprised fresh recruits who had begun their training just days earlier. Some of them also alleged the presence of CCTV cameras in bathroom corridors, claiming it was a serious violation of their privacy, news agency PTI reported.

Contesting the claims of the constables, Commandant Ashok Kumar said, “It’s not that they are bathing in the open. They are unwilling to bathe together, so I have decided to install partitions in the washrooms to ensure privacy.”

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Women constable recruits at the 26th Battalion PAC Centre in Gorakhpur raised serious concerns on Wednesday about the lack of basic amenities, including water, electricity, and privacy. The protest, which began after several recruits were forced to bathe in the open, prompted senior officials to visit the camp and initiate an inquiry into the matter, according to PAC Inspector General Dr. Preetinder Singh.

Commandant Ashok Kumar told The Indian Express that the recruits were being persuaded to return to their rooms. He confirmed that while the women constables had taken their meals, the protest was ongoing.

Power Cuts, Water Shortage Spark Unrest

Commandant Kumar explained that frequent power outages on Tuesday night disrupted the camp’s generator supply, affecting the recruits' sleep and causing several of them to miss the morning parade. This disruption triggered the protest.

He also pointed out that this year’s batch of recruits is larger than usual, which has put additional strain on the camp’s infrastructure, including a shortage of water.

According to The Indian Express, the recruits have complained about limited access to drinking water, unreliable electricity, and a lack of private bathing facilities. In a video circulating on social media, one woman constable is heard asking, “If there were no proper arrangements, why were we called here?” Others echoed similar concerns, questioning the decision to admit more recruits than the facility can accommodate.

CCTV Allegations and Privacy Concerns

In addition to infrastructure issues, some recruits have alleged the presence of CCTV cameras near bathroom corridors, claiming it to be a breach of privacy, according to a report by PTI.

Authorities Respond to Crisis

The Gorakhpur district administration, local police, and the electricity department are working with the Battalion to address the situation. In response to the protests, the police department has decided to enhance the water storage system and install a high-capacity generator at the training camp.

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Commandant Kumar said the water shortage was caused by a temporary technical fault, which also disrupted the water supply. He added that the electricity issue was “resolved promptly after discussions."