New Delhi: In a first, an officer from the Indian Police Service (IPS) will soon be posted at the Indian Army headquarters in the national capital to assist the force in dealing with human rights issues.
Approved under a plan called ‘Reorganisation of the Army headquarters’, the move is part a major restructuring of the armed forces, said sources.
Under the plan, the defence ministry has also approved the Army’s proposals to reduce around 20 per cent of the officer posts, merge two weapons and systems procurement agencies and create a new post of deputy chief who will coordinate with military intelligence, operations and logistics wings, said sources.
A formal notification is expected soon.
The move is part of an overall process to make the 1.3-million strong Indian Army leaner and fitter for a 21st century war.
The Army had earlier commissioned four major in-house studies for greater integration. This restructuring is part of one of the four studies.
IPS proposal
According to the approved proposals, two new branches have been created — for Vigilance and Human Rights — within the Army. Both will be headed by a Major General-rank Army official.
The new Additional Director General (ADG), Vigilance, will function directly under the Army chief. The ADG Human Rights will function under the vice-chief.
The ADG HR — a post to be held by an Army official — will be assisted by an IPS officer to facilitate necessary coordination with other organisations and the home ministry on the human rights issues at hand, sources said.
It’s not yet clear what the rank of the IPS officer will be.
Since an ADG HR will be equivalent to an ADG in the police forces, a lower rank officer will be deputed to the Army headquarters.
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Human rights issues
The Indian Army often faces allegations of human rights violations against it, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast where it operates under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
The move to hire an IPS officer comes as the Army looks for a new structure for better coordination, said sources.
Some Army officials defended the decision, calling it an out-of-the-box move which focuses on real integration. They cited the example of service personnel who are posted to the home ministry and the ministry of external affairs.
“An IPS officer will help the Army channel on the human rights front,” said an Army official on condition of anonymity.
However, some Army officials see the move as ceding of space to the IPS lobby.
The Services and the IPS lobby have often been at loggerheads over various issues, including pay parity and operational experience.
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Absurd idea, it would’ve been better to have an officer from the Judge Advocate Branch of the Army instead. They know more about the Law than most IPS types
Modi mastared Psychological political game… but our Armed forces failed to excel in psychological warfare. Kashmir can be a best experimental ground for Psychological Warfare to win against Pakistan and Kashmiri Separatists… which we are not taping, our forces operation Sadhbhawana remains superficial with missing elements from civil government both at state and centre. Psychological Warfare is winning the war without firing bullet
I would any day take IAF type reliable communication over bollywood villain/Hero style communication from Pakistan. Satyam Ave Jayate! Irrespective of the noises that PA/PAF makes, it is ultimately IAF’s version that will hold weight where it matters. Forget about NYT and Washington Post, and economist. They have no credibility whatsoever as far as India is concerned, and are more happy to run down India, Indian achievements. Expecting them to publish something truthful or favorable to India is the oxygen that keeps them alive. Ignore them and they will die.
More than IAF, the biggest thing that came out during this skirmish is the number of Indian voices that are more happy to parrot and advance Pakistani line rather than pursuing the truth.
The reality is that India has moved the red line and made terrorism a bit more costlier to Pakistan. That was the objective and we have achieved it.
May be it look like innovative but the real problem is indian army is totally different from policemen. The police officers especially IPS officers r mostly living civilian life without carrying sidearm. Most of them hadnt fired their weapons.How could they understand the armed life of jawans and their practical problems faced everyday. J &K should be completely controlled by our indian army.Allowing civilan lifed officers in prestigious Indian army HQ wnt make any big differences.
Sitting in office and giving lectures on human rights and laws are not the matter. Ips officer can go in field with army for better co-ordination.
why not the same officer go in j&k, high alti area or glaciers….north eastern states or part of para forces…..why…he should also take a chance…..why not …the question!!!!
It is Indeed a very good step. But then how many IPS officers are aware of rights of human beings? That is the million dollar question.