BSF Clarifies On Increased Jurisdiction After Oppn Questions Centre's Decision Terming It 'Irrational'

The state governments have shown their condemnation towards this decision with the  Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi dubbing it as an "attack on federalism".

Border Security Force (Image Source: PTI)

New Delhi: The Union government amended the BSF Act giving the security force authorization to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a larger 50 km stretch, instead of the existing 15 km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.

The state governments have shown their condemnation towards this decision with the  Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi dubbing it as an "attack on federalism".

In an attempt to clarify the decision, the BSF's press release read, “The amendment effected on October 11, 2021, establishes uniformity in defining the area within which Border Security Force can operate as per its charter of duties and execution of its role and task of border guarding in its areas of deployment."

“This will also enable improved operational effectiveness in curbing trans-border crime and to an extent of 50 km from the international boundary within the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal and Assam, running along the borders of India. Earlier, the limit was fixed to 80 km in case of Gujarat and 15 km in case of Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal and Assam".

Several political party leaders have questioned the intent of the BJP-led Centre behind the move.

"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," Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi tweeted.

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.

— Charanjit S Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) October 13, 2021

However, former chief minister Amarinder Singh came out in support of the move, saying, "BSF's enhanced presence & powers will only make us stronger. Let's not drag central armed forces into politics."

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa condemned the decision and urged the Centre to withdraw it.

"I urge the prime minister and the home minister to withdraw the move. I do not understand what is in the mind of the government. It is interference and an attack on our rights," he told reporters.

Rather than addressing the issue of drones coming from across the border, the Centre has decided to allow the BSF to take action 50 km inside the border, Randhawa said.

"I feel the Centre has doubts on our nationality. I want to say that Punjabis are patriots and love the country," he added.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Minister Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim made a claimed that BJP is using Border Security Force (BSF) to intimidate people at border areas to vote for it in the upcoming West Bengal Assembly election.

BJP is sending BSF to villages in border areas in West Bengal and terrorising people to vote for them, this is my allegation. Election Commission said we will cross-check it: TMC leader Firhad Hakim after meeting EC officials, Kolkata pic.twitter.com/FiGgUY2Qkk

— ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2021

Through the amendment in Gujarat, which shares a border with Pakistan, the same limit has been reduced from 80 kms to 50 kms while in Rajasthan the limit has been kept unchanged at 50 kms. Rajasthan and Punjab also share fronts with Pakistan while Assam has an international border with Bangladesh.

The BSF personnel will continue to invoke these powers in the "whole of the area" comprised in the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya and Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

The new amendment in the BSF Act will also allow the force to apprehend any person who has committed offences under these laws, according to PTI.