In a tragic series of events, 2 BSF personnel of the UN Peace Keeping Contingent (MONUSCO) stationed at Butembo, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, succumbed to injuries on Tuesday during the violent armed protests.
S. Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister expressed grief on this incident. He tweeted,
At least five people have been killed and nearly 50 injured during anti-UN demonstrations in the eastern DR Congo city of Goma, as reported by international media.
On Monday, the Indian Army stopped an armed group of people from looting its operating bases and Level III hospital in Kinshasa. Speaking to the press, the Indian Army officials said, “Attempts to loot Indian Army operating bases and Level III hospital were thwarted by robust actions by Indian Peacekeepers strictly in accordance with the UN mandate and rules of engagement.”
The officials of the Indian Army added, “Indian Peacekeepers have ensured the safety of UN personnel and property in locations of their deployment. There are reports that certain UN office complexes have been ransacked. The situation is being closely monitored."
Demonstrators on Monday had set fires and forced entry into the U.N. mission offices in Goma, accusing the peacekeeping forces of failing to protect civilians amid rising violence in Congo's eastern region. They are calling for the UN forces, present in Congo for years, to leave. “At least 5 dead, around 50 wounded,” government spokesman Patrick Muyaya said in a tweet, condemning attacks on U.N. personnel and buildings.