“The kind of ‘dadagiri’ and dictatorship will not be liked by any party or any state government and the people of the states.”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday targeted this decision of the Central Government. Extension of jurisdiction of Border Security Force (BSF) said that the states should have consulted before reducing the jurisdiction of their police.
Party’s chief spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj termed the Centre’s move as “dictatorial” and cautioned against taking a harsh approach in decision-making.
Read also: Centre’s new BSF notification harsh, unacceptable: Congress
“You (Central government) increased the jurisdiction of the BSF and reduced the jurisdiction of the state police. Kind of’Dadagiri‘ (vulgarity) and dictatorship, it will not be liked by any party or any state government and people of the states,” Mr Bhardwaj said when asked about his party’s stand on the issue.
The central government recently amended the BSF Act to authorize the force to conduct searches, seizures and arrests in large stretches of 50 km instead of the current 15 km from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.
“If this decision is taken after consultation with all the concerned states, then everyone would have welcomed this decision,” Mr. Bhardwaj said, adding, “They (the central government) should act in consultation with the states. Dictatorship will not be appreciated.” While the Punjab government on Wednesday opposed the Centre’s decision to expand the BSF’s jurisdiction, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), which governs West Bengal, hit the center On Thursday, it was a “violation” of state rights and an attack on the country’s federal structure.
“I strongly condemn the unilateral decision of the Government of India to give additional powers to BSF within the 50 km belt running along the international borders, which is a direct attack on federalism. I request the Union Home Minister @AmitShah to immediately take this irrational decision. Urge to withdraw,” Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had tweeted on Wednesday.
AAP is the main opposition party in Punjab where assembly elections are due early next year.
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