What is the current situation in Sierra Leone?
We have 23 of our jawans and officers detained by the RUF rebels. Their condition is good, they are safe. They are being provided food. We have radio communication with them. They are being looked after by the second-in-command of the battalion, that is 5/8 Gurkhas, who is also with them. But he is free to move around, he moves to Kailahun, he moves to Daru, which is the base where the battalion commander stays. He is in communication with the town leaders, the RUF leaders, the RUF rebels. So they are safe at the moment. It is a question of only a few more days. Our boys will get released. I don’t find any reason as to why they should be detained more. They are quite safe and quite happy. In the light of these adversities and unexpected dangers, is there a rethinking about India’s future participation in UN peacekeeping? When we send our troops we take into consideration various contingencies. Now the decision is taken at the highest level, right at the prime minister’s level. And it f
