New Delhi: Amid demands for scrapping the
Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the country, personnel from
various paramilitary forces got down to debating if human
rights and security-related duties can go hand in hand.
The annual debate organised by the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) and conducted by Indo-Tibetan Border Police
(ITBP) in the capital on Tuesday was won by the personnel of
the Border Security Force (BSF).
The debate is conducted since 1996 to promote human
rights awareness amongst security personnel.
A total of 64 police officers from Assam Rifles, BSF,
CISF, CRPF, ITBP, NSG, RPF and SSB participated in the
competition which was titled "Human Rights can be observed by
security forces without compromising national security
concerns”.
While 32 officers spoke against the topic, 32 others
spoke for the topic.
"Some speaking for the topic said human rights are not an
obstacle. It is a guiding tool. By following it forces can
win the hearts and mind of the common population. They can win
their confidence and loyalties, through which, they can get
intelligence and support base among the local population. By
winning loyalties of common man security forces can destroy
the support bases of militants and Naxals," a senior officer
who moderated the debate competition, said.
The others who spoke against the topic said security
personnel who get killed by terrorists and militants also have
human rights and they should be protected.
NHRC chairman KG Balakrishnan gave away the awards while
paramilitary chiefs of forces like ITBP, NSG and CISF were
present during the event.
PTI
