Gen Hooda says Army has clear cut policy on human rights
Indian Army charged with 1500 rights violations in 19 years
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 07 2011: Asserting that Indian Army has a clear cut policy on human rights, GOC Red Shield Division Major General DS Hooda says Army authority received a total of 1500 charges of violation of human rights filed in a span of 19 years from 1990 to 2009 and out of these 53 were found true and 104 personnel including 39 officers have been punished for rights violation.

"That is not to say that violations do not occur but when they do, they are taken note of and dealt with," DS Hooda said at a seminar on 'Strengthening Civil-Military Relations' held today at the Centenary Hall of Manipur University, presenting some facts and figures.

Red Shield Division organised the seminar in association with Manipur University.

Hooda further revealed that 3806 soldiers were killed during the same 19 year period in counter insurgency operations and injuring almost 10,000 soldiers.

He said, "The foundation of our counter insurgency operations is based on making the civilian population secure.

We believe in that, I personally believe it, the common man must feel safe." He referred to Aung San Suu Kyi's words 'fear is not the natural state of a civilized people' and that the Army firmly believes that is the principle on which it must operate.

Asserting the problems faced by the security forces in the state, he said young soldiers who come to Manipur from Punjab, Madras, Kerala, Rajasthan and Nepal had never experienced insurgency related actions, never had a grenade thrown in their house or the neighbouring house.

The only deaths they had experienced or seen were either due to old age or may be related to road accidents.

They joined the Army with full patriotism and pride in the uniform and posted here in Manipur they feel that their own countrymen are hostile to them.

They are a little more than scared because they cannot distinguish who is a friend and who is a foe.

They are not conversant with the language.

They always have to keep their weapons handy because they can be shot at any time.

And when they attempt to carry out their duty in arresting an UG, they are surrounded by a mob of violent women against whom they have been ordered not to act, he said adding that people too should clearly understand the limitations and difficulties that the security forces face.

"We are also human.

We too have hearts that beat.

We are not robots in uniform," Hooda asserted, adding that soldiers spend sleepless nights patrolling the hills and valleys, "just so that you can sleep safely" .

He further said, "We catch extortionists who take away money from you, your hard earned money.

We keep drugs off the streets and away from your children.

We build schools, we dig wells, we adopt orphans, we construct roads, and we help in every possible way.

And we do all these far away from our homes" .

"All these are done sidelining our families, at the risk of our lives and we expect a little appreciative smile sometimes," he went on to say.

Former chairperson of the Manipur State Women's Commission, Dr Ch Jamini who spoke as resource person recalled many cases of torture, molestation and rape of women in the state by the security forces quoting the incidents of the rape of Ahanjaobi of Takyelkhongbal, Chanu Rose of Ukhrul and ordeal operations at Oinam by the security forces and said Army authorities should take up measures not to repeat such incidents which tantamounts to defaming the Army.

People of the state too want peace and to maintain good relations with the security forces.

But in building up such a relationship, Army authorities need to take up appropriate actions against those security personnel who have violated the rights of the people.

The first thing needed to be done by Army authorities is to take up measures to erase the fear and hatred of the Army in the people's minds.

A positive result of holding such a seminar meant to build a healthy relationship between the security forces and the civil populace will yield success only when Army and security forces translate what they have assured to the people.

Prof N Mohendro moderated the first session of the seminar and Ratna Mutum, a teacher of the Little Flower School talked on the topic 'Impact of conflict on the common man', Dr Priyoranjan, Reader, Economic Department, MU talked on 'Current status of civil-military relations in Manipur', Dr Khelena Gurumayum of MU spoke on 'Victimisation of women in conflict situation of Manipur.

Dr N Binoy Singh moderated the second session, Dr Bimol Akoijam of JNU talked on 'Youth as harbinger of peace and largest stakeholders', Rupachandra Yumnam of ISTV on 'Civil-Military synergy as vehicle of peace' and Dr Bhagat Oinam of JNU on 'Identifying common goals and meeting ground'.

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