Ebola: Indian CRPF peacekeeper to be quarantined for 21 days after Liberia stint

A CRPF woman peacekeeper is returning from Ebola-hit Liberia to attend her sister’s marriage soon and the force has decided not to count the 21-day mandatory quarantine period as part of her sanctioned leave.

A CRPF woman peacekeeper is returning from Ebola-hit Liberia to attend her sister’s marriage soon and the force has decided not to count the 21-day mandatory quarantine period as part of her sanctioned leave.

“As part of the standard operating procedure, the woman peacekeeper will be asked to stay in an isolation ward for 21 days. But we will not count the quarantine period as part of her sanctioned leave as a humanitarian gesture. She is coming back to attend her sister’s marriage, otherwise she is fine. Her travel plans are being worked out,” said an officer.

The force has around 245 personnel posted in Liberia as part of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and they include a contingent of around 104 women. Both — the men and women — are due to return in February next year.

The CRPF has not received any request from any of its men and women posted there to come back due to Ebola outbreak.

“In fact, we are selecting the members of next contingents who will replace these men and women,” said a CRPF officer requesting anonymity.

Liberia has reported more than 4000 cases of Ebola so far, since the first incident was reported in March this year.

There have been 2,484 confirmed deaths in the African country. The CRPF headquarter is monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

“First of all, no one wants to come back just for reason that Liberia is going through crisis. They are all the more required there. In fact, in August, the contingent of CRPF men posted there got an extension in tenure till February. Besides, the UN pays handsomely. Our personnel manage to save Rs10 to Rs12 lakh a year during the UN posting,” added the official.