NEW DELHI: The Union Home Minister, $.B.Chavan, on Deo.1 said though India wanted friendly relations with its neighbors; some countries were trying to achieve through terrorism what they could not acquire by war.
Taking salute of an impressive parade here Wednesday to mark the Border Security Force’s 28th Raising Day. Chayan asked the force to be alert on the human rights front in view of the atmosphere of violence prevailing in the Border States. He said it was ironical that no hue and cry was raised when militants killed innocent people. “There has been no deliberate attempt at human rights violation in the country,” he assorted. India, the Minister said, was committed to human rights and had even setup a National Human Rights Commission which would probe into such mattes wherever reported. However, he added that if the police of paramilitary forces captured terrorists during operations they would be dealt with according to the rule of law. Calling for introducing of more welfare programs for the families of the jawans, Chavan, said steps should be taken 10 rehabilitate those handicapped while in action. He also announced a grant of Rs. 1 crore from the Center towards the Welfare Fund of the BSF.
The BSF Director General, Prakash Singh, in his brief speech, paid tributes to the jawans who had unsuccessfully lost their lives for the country. The BSF was not only performing the difficult task of preventing infiltration, checking smuggling and other trans-border crimes, but was also rendering invaluable service on internal security duties besides being involved in combating militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
Earlier, a colorful parade was held at the Chhawla Camp. G.S.Sekhwat, now posted in Jammu and Kashmir where his battalion is involved in insurgency operations, commanded the parade, Eight foot contingents, one each from the field formations, took part in the parade. The marching contingents were followed by the motorized and mounted contingent; the latest signal communication equipment’s used by the force were also on display.
There was also the dog squad besides mounted contingents of horses and camels, the camel mounted band, which also took part in the parade, is the only one of its kind in the world, Tableaux depicting the day today operational activities and welfare activities also formed part of the Raising Day Parade.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 10, 1993
