No consensus yet on curbing rights violation in army

The Centre’s efforts at evolving a standard operational procedure (SOP) for the paramilitary and the armed forces aimed at curbing human rights violations have suffered a setback due to lack of consensus.

After paramilitary organisation and army officials came up with divergent views on the issue today at the North Block, a committee headed by joint secretary Mitali Sen Gavai, Home Ministry, will now review the draft. Home Ministry sources said in the meeting the army highlighted the difference in the conditions prevailing in normal and disturbed areas. ‘‘The Army has made a case for a balance in the operational procedure in different areas. It will submit its opinion to be further reviewed by the committee, a source said. It said that after discussions the issue would be taken up by the Defence Ministry.

At present, there are different operation procedures applicable for different organisations. These are followed wherever the forces are deployed and also taught to the personnel. The present initiative is an effort to evolve a common code for all the forces with the focus on reduction of human rights violations.

The matter also assumes importance in view of the peace initiatives launched by the government in J-K and the Northeast where there have been regular human rights violation complaints.

–rajeev.bhattacharyya@expressindia.com