Assam CM Lauds Govt's Decision To Extend BSF Jurisdiction As Punjab, Bengal Call It 'Attack On Federalism'
Sarma said Assam welcomes the extension of BSF’s operational jurisdiction.
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing row over the Centre’s decision to extend the Border Security Force (BSF) jurisdiction inside three states sharing international boundaries with Pakistan and Bangladesh, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said this move will serve as a strong deterrent for defeating cross-border smuggling and illegal infiltration.
Sarma said Assam welcomes the extension of BSF’s operational jurisdiction.
“In coordination with state police, this move will serve as a strong deterrent for defeating cross border smuggling and illegal infiltration. It strengths national security and national interest,” he added, ANI reported.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday extended the BSF's area of jurisdiction in three states by 35 km, while cutting it short by 30 km in another.
As per the order, the BSF has now been empowered to take action within a belt of 50 km in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam running along the borders of India. Earlier, the BSF had jurisdiction till only 15 km in these states.
Earlier on Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi condemned the Centre’s unilateral decision to give additional powers to the BSF within 50 kms belt along the international border and called the move a “direct attack on federalism”.
The Chief Minister urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to immediately roll back this “irrational” decision.
“I strongly condemn the GoI's unilateral decision to give additional powers to BSF within 50 KM belt running along the international borders, which is a direct attack on the federalism. I urge the Union Home Minister @AmitShah to immediately rollback this irrational decision,” he tweeted.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government also opposed the decision of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Commenting on the move, West Bengal Transport Minister and TMC leader Firhad Hakim accused the Centre of violating the country’s federal structure.
“Law and order is a state subject but the Central Government is trying to interfere through central agencies,” he said.
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The BSF personnel now have got the right to search and arrest just like the state police in the three states of Assam, Punjab and West Bengal.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has given permission to the BSF for raids and arrests up to an area of 50 km inside Indian territory from the International Border along India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh.
Besides, the BSF personnel will also be able to search and arrest in Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur and Ladakh.
The BSF jurisdiction has, however, been reduced in Gujarat. The extent of the border has been reduced from 80 km to 50 km to bring uniformity, while in Rajasthan the radius area has been kept 50 km as before.
No boundaries have been set for the five northeastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Manipur.
There is no boundary set in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as well.
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