Assam Rifles lifts the running trophy as the best team of the NHRC debate competition for CAPFs

Assam Rifles lifts the running trophy as the best team of the NHRC debate competition for CAPFs

NHRC Chairperson Mr. Justice A.K. Mishra says, Armed Forces have rendered a yeoman’s service to the national security despite facing adverse situations

New Delhi, 9th November, 2021

Mr. Justice A.K. Mishra, Chairperson, National Human Rights Commission today 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. However, he said that the armed forces cannot adopt the same methods as these terrorists may do to defend themselves risking the lives of innocent civilians. Justice Mishra was addressing the gathering as the Chief Guest of the NHRC Annual Debate Competition for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) organized in collaboration with the Assam Rifles through hybrid mode in New Delhi today.

Referring to the topic of the debate competition – “Are human rights a stumbling block in fighting evils like terrorism and naxalism”, the NHRC Chairperson 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. He said that 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.

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 S.P, Assam Rifles, Delhi Zone. The second prize in Hindi went to Rifleman, R.L. Yadav, Assam Rifles, Delhi Zone and in English to Assistant Commandant, Amit J., CISF, East Zone. The third prize in Hindi went to Rifle Woman, Razia Bano, Assam Rifles, North-East Zone and in English to Inspector, Afsara Khan, CISF, Uttar Pradesh Zone. Besides the certificates and a memento the first, second and third prize winners were also given cash awards of Rs. 12,000/-, Rs. 10,000/- and Rs.8,000/- each respectively.

The winners were decided by a three member panel of jury headed by the NHRC Member, Mr. Justice M.M. Kumar, comprising Mr. Rajesh Ranjan, former Director General, CISF and Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, former and Founder Vice-Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi.

Earlier, in the opening remarks of the event, Mr. 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.

Mr. Bimbadhar Pradhan, Secretary General, NHRC 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. He said that if peace and development is our aim then terrorism is the biggest hurdle in its way.

Maj. Gen. D.K Singh, ADG, Assam Rifles said that the security forces operate in very challenging situations upholding the human rights.

The NHRC Members, Mrs. Jyotika Kalra, Dr. D.M. Mulay, Mr. Rajiv Jain, Joint Secretary and other senior officers attended. The Commission has been organizing this debate competition for the CAPFs since the last 25 years for their sensitization towards human rights.

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