Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 9: Giving a strong rebuff to separatists and other organisations raising the bogey of human rights 
violation in the State especially across the Kashmir Valley, Northern Army Command chief Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra said today that Army has zero tolerance for human rights violations during counter terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir and asked the troops to ensure that people are not put to any inconvenience or harassment in the State.
“Counter terrorist operations required patience, maturity and restraint. I know the task is onerous but I have faith in your abilities and we must ensure at all times that the people are not put to any inconvenience or harassment due to our actions,” Lt Gen Chachra, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command said.
Pointing out that Indian Army has finest record of no tolerance towards human rights violations by its soldiers and have high regards for civil population including women and children, he said the troops have been ensuring that there was no collateral damage during counter-militancy operations across the State.
Speaking to the troops at Northern Command Headquarters on the eve of World Human Rights Day, which is being observed tomorrow, the Army Commander said whenever the Army received any report of human rights violations in any part of the State during anti-militancy, search and cordon and other operations it was properly inquired into and action was taken if anyone was found guilty.
“We are a people’s Army where we respect human life and take pride in our benevolent attitude towards women and children. This should continue to remain enshrined in our ethos and daily lives,” Lt Gen Chachra said, adding: “this should be the motto of every Army soldier to ensure that no harassment was caused to any civilian or innocent person while carrying out search and anti-militancy operations across the State.
Hoping for peaceful 2014, the Northern Army Command chief said: “as professionals, we are here to serve our country. I am proud of each of my officers, Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and men and compliment you for your dedication and sacrifice. Lets work for a peaceful 2014”.
Worthwhile to mention here that both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are due to be held in the State in 2014 and Army has tough task ahead to maintain peace in the State especially on the Line of Control (LoC) to ensure that the militants didn’t sneak in from Pakistan to disturb peace.
Lt Gen Chachra noted that as many as 124 Army personnel, including 41 officers, have been found guilty of human rights violations and awarded exemplary punishments in the past 20 years of militancy in the State.
“As many as 124 personnel, including 41 officers, 83 JCOs and other ranks found guilty of these violations were expeditiously tried by the Army courts and awarded exemplary punishments ranging from dismissal from service without any service benefits to imprisonment (during last over 20 years),” he said, adding the figures itself speak that the Army didn’t lag behind in punishing the Army officers/officials wherever they were found guilty of human rights violations.
During the past 20 years, 1,524 allegations of human rights violations against Army personnel serving in Northern Command have been received, he said.
“Each and every allegation was enquired into by an independent and autonomous body and 42 of these allegations were found to be true,” he added.
Lt Gen Chachra said: the finest record of the Indian Army on the front of human rights violations can also be gauged from the fact that a Human Rights branch of the Army Headquarters has been functioning since March 1993. Such branches, he added, exists in the formations up to Brigade/Sector level. A capsule on the importance of respect for human rights is also conducted for troops undergoing pre-induction training at various battle schools, he asserted.
“There are a few ongoing cases which are being closely monitored, ensuring rule of law and proceedings as enunciated by the Army Act,” Lt Gen Chachra said.
“Anyone found guilty shall face the law. This amply demonstrates that all cases of alleged human rights violations are thoroughly investigated and personnel found guilty are promptly punished,” the Army Commander said.
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