An Indian Army major, who is under probe by the United Nations mission in Congo on sexual exploitation and abuse charges, allegedly attempted suicide, but is now out of danger.
Major R S Ghumman, who came under the scanner of the UN's Conduct and Discipline Unit (CDU) after he was allegedly found in the company of sex workers in a hotel there on July 6, tried to end his life "over the humiliation" he faced, army sources in the headquarters said in New Delhi on Saturday.
"The officer attempted to commit suicide and it took place about four or five days ago, reportedly over the humiliation he faced due to the probe against him. But we do not have information on the manner in which he made the attempt to end his life," the sources said.
During the course of questioning, Ghumman reportedly asked for a recess and was later found in a critical condition. The sources said they were not aware if he was found in the residential facilities or at the UN Mission's office, where he was being questioned.
Fellow officers and men noticed him and rushed him to a nearby hospital, they said. "He is out of danger now. He is safe and the questioning has re-started," they added. An Indian Army Brigade is in Congo as part of a UN Mission for peacekeeping operations in the civil war-torn nation.
Ghumman, belonging to the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles battalion, was with another officer from the Tunisian Army and the two were noticed getting out of the hotel with local women by an employee of the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).
After the employee reported the matter to the UN Mission, the investigations against him and the Tunisian officer were started for violating the rules, regulations and code of conduct for troops serving in the UN's Congo mission.
Visiting sex workers while serving under the UN flag is barred under the peace-keeping rules and code of conduct prescribed for the Congo mission. Ghumman is also under investigation for violating the curfew imposed in the North Kivu province and for venturing out of the residential facilities for UN troops at night, both offences under the UN laws for the mission in Congo. The major is on the verge of completing his tenure in Congo and is expected back in India soon. The Indian army too might initiate disciplinary proceedings against him based on the CDU's probe report, if the charges were proved against him.
Army major under UN probe attempts suicide
Showing posts with label Conduct. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Conduct. Show all posts
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Alcohol Abuse: Military is top liquor guzzler
As reported by Ellavya Atray in dnaindia.com on 07 February 2009: DNA: India
New Delhi: If an adult Indian, on average, consumes a trickle of alcohol in a year, an Indian Jawan guzzles a bucketful.
The military has emerged as the single most organised guzzler of liquor in the country, with an annual consumption of nine litres per head, at least a litre more than the Malayalees, India's biggest alcohol-consuming community.
Though alcohol consumption is still not well documented in the country, the average per capita consumption (for population aged 15 and above) is a little less than a litre, according to World Health Organisation figures.
Reply to a detailed questionnaire on the sale of liquor in military canteens, filed by DNA under the Right To Information (RTI) Act, shows that our soldiers consumed a staggering 1.1 crore bottles of hard liquor -- rum, vodka, whiskey, and brandy -- in 2007, not to mention 1.2 million bottles of beer and sundry wines.
No wonder, then, the recent cut in liquor quota sold in military canteens dampened the spirits of the men and women in uniform.
Rum continues to be the most preferred choice, though it's gradually losing the kick. Vodka sales, on the other hand, have seen a threefold rise in the last four years.
"Many army wives drink, and they prefer vodka," said an officer who looks after a few canteens. "It is light compared to whisky and rum."
Surprisingly, Old Monk, the old favourite of beginners and veterans alike, is not the most sold rum. That crown goes to the military's own Contessa.
Military is top liquor guzzler
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
The role of unit command is to provide well-trained, physically fit and mentally alert Jawans and Officers who can successfully accomplish their assigned duty. Jawans who abuse alcohol and drugs will negatively impact on the successful attainment of this objective. Specifically abusers effect morale, cohesion, performance and unit readiness. Their actions could result in serious injury to civilians, other members and or to themselves. Therefore alcohol and drug abuse should not be tolerated by Unit/ formation Commanders.
Jawans and Officers should not misuse/ consume alcohol under the following conditions:
1. If the member is under the age of 21.
2. Within 12 hours of reporting for duty or while on duty.
3. While in uniform.
4. When the mission requirements dictate.
5. Within 12 hours of operating a motor vehicle or while operating a motor vehicle.
6. When restricted by the commander
Liquor should not used for trading, services or bartering especially with civilians, servants and vendors for favours or used for bribing in lieu of cash. Selling liquor in the civil market for monetary gains is a punishable crime. (There is rampant misuse of liquor in the Military Training Institutions starting from premier Staff College to the lesser ones).
Substance abuse or excessive drinking is considered unbecoming conduct. Members who violate this policy should be subjected to strict disciplinary action under the Army Act. Recent cases as reported by media prove that drunken Officers and Jawans break the rule of the land by committing civil crimes.
New Delhi: If an adult Indian, on average, consumes a trickle of alcohol in a year, an Indian Jawan guzzles a bucketful.
The military has emerged as the single most organised guzzler of liquor in the country, with an annual consumption of nine litres per head, at least a litre more than the Malayalees, India's biggest alcohol-consuming community.
Though alcohol consumption is still not well documented in the country, the average per capita consumption (for population aged 15 and above) is a little less than a litre, according to World Health Organisation figures.
Reply to a detailed questionnaire on the sale of liquor in military canteens, filed by DNA under the Right To Information (RTI) Act, shows that our soldiers consumed a staggering 1.1 crore bottles of hard liquor -- rum, vodka, whiskey, and brandy -- in 2007, not to mention 1.2 million bottles of beer and sundry wines.
No wonder, then, the recent cut in liquor quota sold in military canteens dampened the spirits of the men and women in uniform.
Rum continues to be the most preferred choice, though it's gradually losing the kick. Vodka sales, on the other hand, have seen a threefold rise in the last four years.
"Many army wives drink, and they prefer vodka," said an officer who looks after a few canteens. "It is light compared to whisky and rum."
Surprisingly, Old Monk, the old favourite of beginners and veterans alike, is not the most sold rum. That crown goes to the military's own Contessa.
Military is top liquor guzzler
Alcohol and Drug Abuse
The role of unit command is to provide well-trained, physically fit and mentally alert Jawans and Officers who can successfully accomplish their assigned duty. Jawans who abuse alcohol and drugs will negatively impact on the successful attainment of this objective. Specifically abusers effect morale, cohesion, performance and unit readiness. Their actions could result in serious injury to civilians, other members and or to themselves. Therefore alcohol and drug abuse should not be tolerated by Unit/ formation Commanders.
Jawans and Officers should not misuse/ consume alcohol under the following conditions:
1. If the member is under the age of 21.
2. Within 12 hours of reporting for duty or while on duty.
3. While in uniform.
4. When the mission requirements dictate.
5. Within 12 hours of operating a motor vehicle or while operating a motor vehicle.
6. When restricted by the commander
Liquor should not used for trading, services or bartering especially with civilians, servants and vendors for favours or used for bribing in lieu of cash. Selling liquor in the civil market for monetary gains is a punishable crime. (There is rampant misuse of liquor in the Military Training Institutions starting from premier Staff College to the lesser ones).
Substance abuse or excessive drinking is considered unbecoming conduct. Members who violate this policy should be subjected to strict disciplinary action under the Army Act. Recent cases as reported by media prove that drunken Officers and Jawans break the rule of the land by committing civil crimes.
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