140-member ITBP contingent flagged off for UN duties in Congo

NEW DELHI: A 140-member contingent of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police ( ITBP) force, comprising seven women, has been flagged off for rendering UN mandated police duties in the African nation of Democratic Republic of Congo.

The squad was sent off by ITBP Director General Krishna Chaudhary from the force headquarters here early this week.

This is the 10th contingent of the border guarding force to the central African nation and it will be stationed in Bunia.

The squad, led by Commandant Sanjay Kothari, has been trained in mob dispersal and riot control techniques, special driving skills, providing aid to civilian authorities and basics on human rights laws.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the third largest country in Africa, bordering Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. It has been placed under the United Nations due to internal disturbances in the country.

The latest squad will be there for a year after it replaces an earlier ITBP team working there.