The Center has amended the BSF Act to authorize the force to conduct searches, seizures and arrests in large stretches of 50 km from the International Border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam instead of the existing 15 km.
In Gujarat, which shares a border with Pakistan, the same limit has been reduced from 80 km to 50 km, while in Rajasthan the limit has been kept unchanged at 50 km. Rajasthan and Punjab also share frontiers with Pakistan while Assam has an international border with Bangladesh.
But the Punjab government on Wednesday strongly opposed the Centre’s alleged move to empower the BSF to conduct searches and arrests within 50 km of the International Border, terming it an “attack on federalism”.
Though some Punjab Congress leaders attacked the Centre, the move pitted the Congress against the Congress.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi is facing criticism from his own party leader Sunil Jakhar, who is blaming Channi for the Centre’s decision.
Channi, during his meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah, had asked him to keep a watch on the supply of drugs and weapons from across the border. But he himself has criticized this move of the central government.
“I strongly condemn the unilateral decision of the government to give additional powers to the BSF within the 50 km belt running along the international borders, which is a direct attack on federalism. I urge Union Home Minister Amit Shah to immediately withdraw this irrational decision. I urge.” Channi wrote on Twitter after facing opposition from party leaders.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also condemned the Centre’s decision and termed it as a violation of the federal structure which would create an atmosphere of fear in Punjab.
“I urge the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to withdraw this move. I do not understand what is on the mind of the government. This is an interference and an attack on our rights,” he told reporters.
Randhawa said instead of addressing the issue of drones coming from across the border, the Center has decided to allow the BSF to operate within 50 km of the border.
“I think the Center has doubts on our nationality. I want to say that Punjabis are patriotic and love the country,” he said.
Later, in a statement, Randhawa slammed the Center for the recent amendment to Section 139 of the BSF Act, saying it tantamounts to an “attack on federalism”.
“This illogical decision was absolutely against the spirit of increasing border-defense forces, which are required to focus on the international border and act as the first line of defence,” he said.
However, Congress leader Sunil Jakhar, who was earlier in the race for Punjab CM, hit out at Charanjit Singh Channi. Reprimanding Channi, Jakhar wrote, “Be careful what you ask for. Charanjitchanni inadvertently managed to hand over half of Punjab to the central government. 25,000 sq km (out of the total 50,000 sq km) is now under the BSF’s jurisdiction. Punjab Police is condemned. Do we still want more autonomy to the states?”
Congress leader Sunil Jakhar slams Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi for meeting Home Minister Amit Shah.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh while welcoming the Centre’s decision said, “Our soldiers are being killed in Kashmir. We are seeing more and more arms and drugs being pushed into Punjab by Pakistan-backed terrorists. May the increased presence and strength of BSF make us stronger. Let’s not drag the Central Armed Forces into politics.”
The decision regarding the BSF came after the Union Home Ministry issued a notification in this regard on October 11 and amended its July 2014 order, enabling provision for BSF personnel and officers while working in border areas. There are about 2.65 lakh personnel of the paramilitary force on 6,300 Indian fronts along with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
BSF officials said the amendment would help them effectively curb cross-border crimes and the new amendment brings “uniformity” to its operations in the border states of Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Assam, where it is now Can operate within 50 kms. area from the border.
“The amendment, effective October 11, establishes uniformity in defining the area within which the Border Security Force may operate in accordance with its charter of duties and perform its role and functions of border security in its areas of deployment.
“It will also enable better operational effectiveness in preventing cross-border crime within the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, West Bengal and Assam running along India’s borders and up to 50 km from the international border.” BSF said in a statement.
Earlier, the statement said, this limit was fixed at 80 km in case of Gujarat, 50 km in case of Rajasthan and 15 km in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.
The notification will allow the Border Security Force to exercise the powers of search, seizure and arrest for the purpose of prevention of any offense punishable under the Passport Act, Foreigners Registration Act, Central Excise and Salt Act, Foreigners Act, Any cognizable offense punishable under Foreign Exchange Management Act, Customs Act or any other Central Act, a senior official said.
The new amendment to the BSF Act will also allow the force to apprehend any person who has committed an offense under these laws.
BSF personnel will continue to exercise these powers in the “entire area” comprising the states of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya and the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
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