by Mick Meaney
Officials in New Delhi have admitted that Rapid Action Force (RAF) in Srinagar wore blue helmets and used shields with the UN insignia while dealing with protesters in Kashmir, during a flag march.
“Only a few of them used those helmets and shields. This might have happened as they were deployed on a very short notice. They were flown from New Delhi to Srinagar and pressed into service hurriedly,” said an official.
Pictures of the RAF flag march were distributed by the media, and a US-based NGO United Progressives (UP) wrote to the UN’s Department of Peacekeeping Operations – calling the action a misuse of equipment.
Michel Bonnardeaux, Public Affairs Officer at the United Nations, apparently sent this statement to Paul Barrow, director UP:
“We understand that directions have since been issued by the Indian authorities to prevent the continued use of UN helmets and shields by the RAF.
“The UN blue helmets and other UN equipment are provided to personnel serving in the United Nations operations for the sole purpose of use during service under the blue flag. All UN equipment provided for use in a UN operation ought to be returned to the organisation upon completion of service and under no circumstances, can it be used for other purposes, including by national armies in the conduct of their operations.”