'Army has zero tolerance for human rights violation'

The army on Wednesday reiterated its commitment 'to uphold human rights while dealing with elements inimical to the security of the country'.

Speaking at a seminar on human rights titled 'changing concept of human rights in present environment', Lt Gen K T Parnaik, GOC-in-C, northern command said, "The army has institutionalised the aspect of human rights by setting up human rights cells at various levels in the army in March 1993'. 

"It indeed happened six months prior to the creation of National Human Rights Commission by the government, which is an indication of the seriousness the army attaches to this issue," Lt Gen Parnaik said.

The army commander also went on to add that 'the armed forces are the last bastion of the country, made responsible to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State and has a huge responsibility on its shoulders to operate against the inimical elements, keeping the tenants of human rights uppermost  in our minds'. 

"The army has a policy of zero tolerance for Human Rights violation and has tried to be as transparent as possible," he said

He informed the august gathering that 'army operations have evolved over a period of time and there is a change that has taken place in army's thinking, operating procedures, rules of engagement which flows straight from army's well formulated conventional doctrine of "Iron Fist with a Velvet Glove".

Defence spokesman S N Acharya said, the seminar held at Akhnoor Jammu was attended by an audience of approximately 350 army officers, 45 paramilitary force officers, 16 IAS probationers and 250 students of schools and colleges.

He said the seminar on the first day during the first two sessions examined the emerging trends in human rights in the light of the contemporary conflict dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir and the perceptions of the local population.

"The deliberations evaluated the role of the armed forces in upholding the human rights and freedom of people in insurgency affected areas. All speakers freely shared their views. The proceedings were marked by healthy interactive session on each topic," he said.

The seminar witnessed a number of issues related to human rights covered by various eminent speakers over a period of two days. A large number of college and school students from Jammu, Akhnoor and Sunderbani also shared their valuable thoughts on the subject during the interactive session held on both the days of the seminar on each topic, he said.

The seminar culminated with the closing address by Lt Gen A S Nandal GOC, White Knight Corps.

In the statement the spokesman said 'the seminar was an effort on part of the army to generate awareness about issues related to human rights and will prove invaluable in evolving the strategy of the armed forces to meet the emerging challenges and carry out people centric operations'.