Goma, 15 May 2013 - The 135 strong Indian Formed Police Unit-2 (FPU) was honored with the United Nations Peacekeeping medal in appreciation for their service in Goma. The Medal Parade held at the FPU camp in Goma on 15 May 2013, was attended by the Deputy Police Commissioner of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), Jacques Desilets, as well as other senior MONUSCO officials and high ranking National Congolese Police (PNC) authorities. The Indian FPU has been serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo since November 2005.

"This Medal was given to you as a symbol of appreciation and recognition for your contribution towards peace and security in the city of Goma. This Medal recognizes your professionalism, goodwill gestures, diligence and high level of commitment towards the fight against all acts of criminality and other forms of violence in the town of Goma, often putting your own lives at risk in order to preserve those of others," Mr. Desilets said in his address to the recipients.

In response, the Indian Formed Police Unit Commander, Sukumar Sarangi, said: "The UN Peace Medal earned today, will always inspire us to perform our duties with more dedication and devotion and enthusiasm and zeal. This medal will certainly remind us of our association with all of you once we resume our duty in our parent organization at home."

This event marks the 7th yearly rotation of the Indian Formed Police Unit-2 since its arrival in North Kivu in September 2012. Each rotation is composed of 135 elements. The Indian FPU is deployed in the towns of Goma (North Kivu province), Bunia (Province Orientale), and the country's capital Kinshasa. Apart from its daily operational activities, the Indian FPU also carries out humanitarian activities. These include career counseling to needy students, providing food and logistic support to the orphanage "Children's Voice", distributing water to the local population, and extending medical facilities to PNC troops and population.

Clara Padovan/ MONUSCO