Peacekeepers from police earn Tk 40b in 25-yr

Bangladesh Police personnel, engaged in UN peacekeeping missions in different trouble-torn areas of the world, have earned nearly Tk 40 billion in the last 25 years. Sources at the Police Headquarters in Dhaka said an amount of Tk 37.5 billion came in remittance from this source on average every year during the period. Bangladesh police has contributed to 19 peacekeeping missions in 14 countries where 13,223 members, including 603 female, took part as of March 31 this year. The first full-fledged women contingent of the Form Police Unit (FPU) consisting of 110 women police was sent to the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti in May, 2010. Bangladesh Police started participating in the UN missions in 1989. Sixteen members laid down their lives during the period. Besides, nine policemen were injured during the period. Presently, around 1,762 personnel, including 190 female, of Bangladesh Police have been performing their duties with reputation in different UN peacekeeping missions in various countries, including Congo, South Sudan, Darfur, Ivory Coast, Mali and Haiti. A 139-member police contingent left Dhaka for Mali on May 13 to join the UN Peacekeeping Mission there. It was the first full-fledged Formed Police Unit (FPU) of Bangladesh Police deployed in the West African country Mali. Talking to UNB, Assistant Inspector General (Media) of Police Headquarters Jalaluddin Ahmed said Bangladesh Police is ready to contribute more personnel to the UN peacekeeping missions, if necessary.