The political uproar over increasing the jurisdiction of BSF, the opposition is accusing the Center of interfering in the rights of the states

Posted on 14th Oct 2021 by rohit kumar

Since the increase in the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force in Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam, this has been continuously being questioned by the states. The states are also accusing the Center of seeing this as interfering in their jurisdiction. A statement has been made against this decision from the government of Punjab and West Bengal. Both these states say that this decision of the Center is irrational and a direct attack on federalism.

 

It is worth noting that the BSF in the border states continuously works to prevent illegal infiltration apart from smuggling of narcotics and weapons. It is also called the first line of defence. Before the current decision, the BSF was required to inform the state police of search operations outside the jurisdiction. In such a situation, many times smugglers or intruders used to go away from their reach. But after the latest decision of the Center, the BSF will have the right to take action without informing the state police or waiting for them. This will help in curbing such incidents.

 

Let us inform you that in the notification of the Union Home Ministry, it has been said that the area of ​​BSF in these three states will now be up to 50 km from the international border. Earlier this area was only 15 km. This scope means that according to the new decision, the BSF officers will now be able to come within 50 km of the state's international border to conduct searches and arrest the accused. Earlier this authority was with the state police outside the area of ​​15 km.

 

Against this decision of the Center, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa have demanded that it should be withdrawn immediately. However, this decision has also been supported by the former Chief Minister of the state, Amarinder Singh. At the same time, former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar has tried to surround the CM on this issue. They allege that on the pretext of this, Channi has handed over half of the Punjab center.

 

Congress MP Manish Tewari has also taken a dig at the Center on this issue. He has said that it violates the constitutional system of the states. After this decision, half of Punjab will be under the jurisdiction of BSF.

 

On the other hand, West Bengal's Transport Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Firhad Hakim expressed displeasure over the Centre's decision, saying that the Center was violating the federal structure of the country. According to him, the law and order of the state is the subject of the government there, but the Center is trying to interfere in it through various agencies.

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