Imphal, December 20: Having been at the receiving end from rights activists for the last many years, the State Police Department conducted a debate on human rights issues at the 1st manipur Rifles banquet hall today.

The debate meant for its personnel was participated by 14 ranks and files of the department clustered into two groups on the topic 'In the Opinion of the House, Protection of Human Rights should always be the highest priority of Law Enforcing Agencies'.

With participants ranging from the Riflemen to Additional Superintendent of Police and each bench made of seven personnel each, the debate was kick-started by the Chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commission Justice (Retd) WA Shishak as the chief guest.

Appreciating the host department's initiative Shishak said the debate itself reflects the police establishment's need to understand civilian rights especially in the context of Manipur passing through a tumultuous period on the law and order aspect.

Stressing on the need to understand that 'everything' involves human rights which subsequently translates into respecting one another, the MHRC Chairperson regretted that trying circumstances prevalent in the trouble torn State had strained relationships between the public and law enforcing bodies.

The power entrusted on the police should be exercised in the most constructive way with maximum restraint inspite of the police personnel facing a challenging task while discharging their duties, Shishak suggested.

Observing that cases of rights violation mainly involved lower ranks of the police, the human rights upholder called upon the superior officers to reign in their men and to device remedial measures so as to eliminate mistrust imbibed by the general public against security establishment.

Sharing his personal view that Armed Forces Special Powers Act be removed as the same was applied by the britishers during their colonial rein, the retired Justice said 'I can't imagine that such law is still enforced by the authorities of our country to its citizens inspite of knowing the people's sentiment against the repressive law.' Director General of Police AK Parashar laying emphasis on upholding individual dignity of person as basic human rights also asked men in uniform not to relent from duties concerning issues of public importance and national security.

In the police organisation by just putting on a uniform 'we do not need to become demons as well too are one of the participants in backing the society within the parameters of the law,' said the State police chief.

Contending that the police officers are constantly reminded to uphold the dignity of individuals and to accord deserved respect to women, children, aged persons and weaker section of the society, AK Parashar underscored the significance of his viewpoint saying that law enforcing agencies need unstinted support and cooperation from the public towards eradicating various social ills.

The debating competition was held with IGP (Adm) S Ahamed as the speaker with former MHRC Member Lisam Rabindra Singh and ex-IG Arambam Pradip as the judges.

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