Assam Rifles win human rights debate competition

Assam Rifles won the best team trophy in an all-India debate on human rights among the central paramilitary forces at the National Security Guards (NSG) campus here Friday evening.

The debate on “Adherence to Human Rights Norms Compromises Effectiveness of Security Forces” was organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as part of its attempt to spread awareness about human rights among the security forces.

The debate stood out for its high quality of arguments, both for and against the motion, and in the level of preparedness and oratorical skills in both Hindi and English demonstrated by both officers and jawans of the paramilitary forces.

Some constables of the Border Security Force (BSF) impressed the jury and audience with their English language proficiency.

Assam Rifles were declared the team winners.

The best debater prize in Hindi went to Gajendra Kumar, Rifleman, Assam Rifles, and in English to Navdeep Singh Heera, Assistant Commandant, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

The second prize in Hindi went to Puran Singh, Havaldar, Assam Rifles, and in English to Major Shankar Das, NSG.

The third prize in Hindi went to D. Suwalakhia, Inspector, CISF, and in English to Rajbir Kaur, Constable, BSF.

The winners were decided by a three member panel of jury headed by Satyabrata Pal, member, NHRC, and comprising M.B. Kaushal, former special secretary, internal security, and Tarun Basu, chief editor.

Congratulating the winners, Pal said that despite the present day challenges of their duties, security forces should be sensitive towards human rights that are inalienable fundamental rights of every individual in a democracy.

R.K. Mendhekar, the director general of NSG, said the competition has been useful in spreading awareness about human rights among the paramilitary forces.

NHRC, pointed out Sunil Krishna, director general (investigation), has been organising this competition since 1996.

The debate is initially conducted at eight zonal levels, shortlisting 64 debaters before the semi-final and final rounds. The responsibility to hold the semi-final and final is entrusted to one of the paramilitary forces by rotation.