New Delhi, Nov 9 (FN Agency) National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Justice Arun Kumar Mishra on Tuesday said that the armed forces have rendered a yeoman’s service to the national security in adverse situations despite facing provocation, stone pelting, armed attack, etc. Justice Mishra made the statement while addressing a gathering at the Commission’s annual debate competition for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), organised in collaboration with the Assam Rifles through hybrid mode here. He further said that the armed forces cannot adopt the same methods as terrorists may do to defend themselves risking the lives of innocent civilians. Referring to the topic of the debate- ‘Are human rights a stumbling block in fighting evils like terrorism and naxalism’, the rights body’s chairman said that the arguments given by the security personnel for and against the motion in the debate are of very high standard and indicate their sensibility and understanding of the respect human rights require to be given during their operations.
“A balance is required to be observed to ensure proportionate use of force, if the situation demands so, but there is no room for fake encounters and instant justice. A due process of law to punish the guilty should be observed,” a release issued by the Commission quoted Justice Mishra as saying. Earlier, Santosh Mehra, DG (I), NHRC said that right to life is the most important human rights which needs to be protected despite operational challenges of the security forces. Commission’s secretary general, Bimbadhar Pradhan said that terrorism is the most serious threat to the national and international community and cause unspeakable human sufferings and loss, which amount to grave human rights violations. If peace and development is our aim then terrorism is the biggest hurdle in its way, he added.
Maj Gen DK Singh, ADG, Assam Rifles said that the security forces operate in very challenging situations upholding human rights. The Assam Rifles lifted the overall best team rolling trophy winning the final round of debate competition in Hindi and English. Among the individual honours, the first prize for debate in Hindi went to Assistant Sub Inspector Kapil Kumar Arya, CISF, South Zone and in English to Captain Ashwin SP, Assam Rifles, Delhi Zone.