Indian major facing UN probe for sexual misconduct

News Desk

UNITED NATIONS: An Indian Army officer, Major R S Ghumman, belonging to Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Battalion is facing a probe by the UN Mission in Congo on charges of sexual exploitation and abuse.

The probe was announced by Anayansi Lopez of the Department of Peace Keeping Operations, who said that the Government of India had been informed of the investigations and a National Investigating Officer from India had arrived to assist the Office of the Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).The probe is being handled by the Conduct and Discipline Unit (CDU) of the UN.

This is not the first incident of conduct unbecoming by Indian officers deputed to the UN peace keeping mission in Congo. In March 2008 three Indian officers were arrested by Pretoria Police in South Africa once a woman accused them of rape. The incident had drawn sharp criticism from the UN Secretary General Ban-ki-Moon who had demanded disciplinary action against the accused for "sexually exploiting local women and children in Congo". It was the fourth such "misconduct" by Indian peace-keepers in Congo since January that year.

According to analysts, incidents involving Indian officers in cases of sexual misconduct reflect poorly on the state of discipline in the Indian Army. Indian Officers and men, used to the sweeping powers conferred upon them by AFSPA like draconian laws, find it difficult to adjust to the universal standards of military conduct and discipline while on UN peacekeeping missions where local civilians are dependent on them for protection and refuge.