P R E FAC E international convention to reinforce respect for those rights; the effort to generate human rights awareness and literacy, to undertake research projects and programmes; and to encourage the efforts of non-governmental organizations, the essential partners of the Commission. In addition, the report deals with the efforts of the Commission to ensure appropriate action on the complaints addressed to it, summaries being provided of some of the principal cases handled during the year under review. In his speech in Chandigarh on 29 September 2003 cited earlier in this Preface, the President also observed: "It is necessary to work towards a Unity of Minds. It is the citizen's responsibility to do everything possible to protect the rights of every individual, without stamping out their individual characteristics and basic identity." The Commission is deeply appreciative of this fervent call by the President to respect human rights. It is indeed the responsibility of all citizens, and the constitutional duty of the Central and State Governments, to honour this call. The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 is premised on the mutually reinforcing character of the efforts that are to be made by the Commission and by the Governments, both at the Centre and in the States. A 'Unity of Minds' is indeed required to ensure the better protection of human rights in the country. It is with this in mind that the Commission dedicates this annual report to the people of India, and submits it to the Central Government to place before each House of Parliament, in accordance with section 20 of the Act. Sd/(A.S. Anand) Chairperson Sd/(Sujata V. Manohar) Member New Delhi 14 November 2003 ANNUAL REPORT 2002-2003 Sd/(Virendra Dayal) Member Sd/(Y. Bhaskar Rao) Member Sd/(R.S. Kalha) Member ... ... 5 ... ... ..