India to send women police officers for UN Liberia

New Delhi, Sept 2 (UNI) In a landmark move, India will send 125 women police officers for United Nations Peace-keeping operations in Liberia (UNMIL) in October and the UN has hailed the decision as ''unprecedented'' and ''extremely timely.'' A senior official of the External Affairs Ministry told UNI that the 125 officers, who are currently undergoing the final stages of their training here, will make up a specialised unit-- Formed Police Unit (FPU).

Details of what exact role the all-female FPU will play as part of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), are currently being worked out, the official said.

The UN has had increasing success with such units over the past few years as a means of bridging the gap between regular and lightly-armed police and fully-armed blue helmets.

The official said the contingent is made up of volunteers who have decided to be a part of peace-keeping operations and that they can play an effective, credible role.

The Indian unit will join other FPUs currently serving in Liberia.

India currently contributes almost 400 police officers to UN missions worldwide, one of the top 10 police-contributing countries, but only 15 of these personnel are female officers, something which the introduction of the 125 women officers would change. MORE UNI RB VD RK1428