NHRC Debate competition for Para-Military Forces

18th October, 2012
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) lifted the overall best team rolling trophy winning the final round of All India Inter-Para Military Forces Debate competition in Hindi and English, organized by the National Human Rights Commission in collaboration with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in New Delhi today.
The topic of the debate competition was "Human Rights can be observed by Para Military Forces only by endangering national security". Among the individual honours, the first prize for debate in Hindi went to Mr. Santosh Verma, Head Constable, CRPF and in English to Mr. Neeraj Chand, Deputy Commandant, SSB. The second prize in Hindi went to Ms. Rekha Sharma, Sub-Inspector, CISF and in English to Mr. Anil Kumar, Assistant Commandant, CISF. The third prize in Hindi went to Mr. Deepak Sawalakhia, Assistant Commandant, CISF and in English to Captain T. Krishna, NSG. Consolation prize in Hindi went to Mr. Anil Kumar Rana, Inspector, ITBP and in English to Major Bhargav A., NSG.
The winners were decided by a three member panel of jury headed by Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC and comprising Mr. A.K. Suri, former Director General of Police, J&K & Director General, RPF and Prof. S.T. Kaul, Faculty of Law, Delhi University.
Congratulating the winners of the Debate Competition, Justice Balakrishnan said that despite the challenges of their duties, the security forces should not compromise with the rule of law and human rights. He said that people only with a narrow mind can say that national security will be compromised by respecting human rights. Role of security forces in upholding human rights is well defined. The security forces have to operate in difficult situations, but for this special powers have also been given to them to deal with extreme situations. Counter terrorism and counter intelligence should not undermine the democratic rule of law. Referring to poor conviction rate, the NHRC Chairperson said that criminal justice system needs to be corrected to ensure speedy trial by setting up more courts. Steps should also be taken to increase the number of police personnel in various parts of the country to expedite the process of fast investigation and hearing.
Prof. B.T. Kaul said that there are rights which should be respected, but all Fundamental Rights are subject to reasonable restrictions. Mr. A.K. Suri said that it is possible to deal with the most difficult situations without violating human rights. He hoped that the message on the importance of the human rights would percolate down everyman in Para Military Forces.
Earlier, welcoming the participants and the guests, Mr. R.C. Tayal, Additional Director General, SSB said that the things are difficult in insurgency areas. He said that the problem is not with the Acts like Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) but with the misuse of such Acts. Human Rights are sacrosanct to civil society. Peace can be guaranteed only by holding these values.
The NHRC has been organizing this debate competition in Hindi and English since 1996. The debate is initially conducted at 8 zonal levels short listing 64 debaters and then the semi final and final rounds are conducted. The responsibility to hold debate under the aegis of the NHRC is entrusted to one of the Para Military Forces on rotation, and this year the SSB shared this responsibility.
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