Training workshops will warn police officers that human rights violations will invite consequences
The Chhattisgarh government has submitted to the National Human Rights Commission a 6-point plan to ensure that human rights are adequately protected in the Bastar division of the state.
As part of the promised action plan, the state government has issued standing instructions to the Special DGP/Additional DGP (Naxal Operations) to immediately recommend action to the Additional DGP (CID) in any case of gross violation of human rights wherein the action is found to be slow, lacking or inadequate at lower levels.
The other measures include:
Director General of Police (DGP) to organise training and orientation of the police force posted in Bastar division to sensitizes them on the human rights issues and to ensure that human rights are not violated in the course of their duties;
All police officers to ensure that human rights are not violated in the course of their work, be it in Naxal affected areas or elsewhere. The officers must be warned that human rights violations will invite consequences. They would also be responsible for ensuring compliance among other police personnel under their command;
There will be a clear, separate entry in the Annual Performance Assessment of All Indian Police Services (IPS) and State Police Service (SPS) officers about their performance on human rights issues;
A district level Human Rights Protection Committee headed by a District Magistrate/Collector has been constituted in each of the seven Naxal affected districts of Bastar to receive complaints on human rights issues and to make suggestions to the state government for taking necessary action. This committee comprises six district level administrative, police, law officers and two- three eminent citizens;
A State Human Rights Protection Committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of secretary, General Administration Department. This will consider only those cases which has been not been disposed off at the district level or where the complainant is not satisfied with the action taken by the District Committee. This committee comprises seven senior level administrative, police, law officers and two-three eminent citizens/NGO representatives.