P R E FAC E Preface A decade has passed since the National Human Rights Commission was established on 12 October 1993. This is the tenth annual report of the Commission. It seeks to carry forward the narrative of the Commission's efforts to fulfil the mandate conferred on it by the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the objective of which was to ensure the 'better protection' of human rights in the country. The present report contains a retrospective look at the past decade and then focuses, in detail, on the year 2002-2003. By its very nature the report is subjective since it is being written by the Commission itself. The objective assessment of the Commission's endeavours must come from the people of India, whom it seeks to serve in all of their rich diversity and varying circumstances. Not unexpectedly, given the seriousness of the issues that the Commission has faced and the variety of expectations concerning it, diverse views have been expressed on the worth of the Commission's efforts. This is as it should be, particularly in a democracy as vibrant as that of our Republic. But one fact does emerge clearly. An institution that was unknown ten years ago is now very much part of the life of the nation and, increasingly, of consequence to the quality of its governance. Each day, hundreds of our compatriots seek the intervention of the Commission for the redressal of their grievances, stemming from what they perceive to be the violation of their human rights. They belong to all parts of India and to all of its ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 ... ... 1 ... ... ..