The Hindu : National : A ‘five-star’ performance

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Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
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A ‘five-star’ performance

CRPF women lauded for service in Liberia

— Photo: V.V. Krishnan

Meritorious: In this file photo, a CRPF women contingent is about to leave New Delhi for Liberia as United Nations’ Peacekeepers.

New Delhi: A “five-star” performance by women personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force under the United Nations aegis in strife-torn Liberia has earned them praise.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has complimented them on motivating the country’s women to join police.

Impressed by their performance, the United Nations has sought an extension for the force. A fresh batch of 125 personnel, part of the CRPF’s women battalion, will be heading for Liberia next month to replace the existing team.

Completing a year in Liberia next month, the 125-strong contingent led by Commandant Seema Dhundiya, was entrusted with the security of the President, joint patrolling and general area domination besides riot control and training of officers of the National Police in the crisis-hit West African nation.

“It was for the first time that a female contingent was sent to Liberia in January this year to handle the local unrest and this is the first female contingent of police to be deployed by the U.N.,” CRPF Director-General S.I.S. Ahmed told PTI.

“The day the first batch landed in Liberia, there was a big demonstration. They did exceedingly well in containing the unruly mob. It created a big impact,” Mr. Ahmed, who recently visited Liberia, said.

The “outstanding” performance by the squad, he said, also prompted the authorities to entrust the security of the President with the CRPF.

“Sirleaf told me that the CRPF has created an outstanding impact on the Liberians and a large number of women now are wanting to join the police.

She said it was unparalleled as Liberian women never wanted to come and join police,” Mr. Ahmed said. — PTI

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