The Indian Army has appointed a major general-rank officer to head its newly created human rights cell.

Major General Gautam Chauhan has taken charge as the first additional director-general, human rights, and will work under the army’s Vice-Chief Lieutenant General S.K. Saini.

The cell will look into human rights issues and ensure that the army complies with human rights conventions. It will be the nodal point to examine reports on human rights violations by the army.

Last August, defence minister Rajnath Singh had given the approval to set up the cell at the army headquarters, the first such initiative in the armed forces, to look into rights violations as part of the restructuring and reorganising of the army.

As per the mandate, an IPS officer of SSP/SP rank will be taken on deputation to enhance transparency and ensure investigative expertise is available to the cell.

“The human rights cell will put in place a more stringent mechanism to look into human rights violations,” said an army officer.

The IPS officer in the cell will assist in investigations and legalities and will also facilitate coordination with other organisations and the Union home ministry, if required.

“Charges of human rights violations often come up since the army is deployed in sensitive conflict zones. The human rights cell will investigate such charges in a professional manner and will also act as an internal watchdog,” the army officer said.

Over the years, the army has been accused of human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

Major General Chauhan had earlier served as brigadier, operations logistics, at the headquarters of the Integrated Defence Staff.