The government and the BSF are constantly being questioned by the opposition political parties for increasing the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) to 50 km. The states are considering it as interference in their jurisdiction. However, on the objection raised by the states, BSF Director General (DG) Pankaj Kumar Singh said that the “demographic balance” has deteriorated in the border states like Assam and West Bengal and perhaps this is the reason why the Center has recently decided to change the force. jurisdiction has been extended. He said the BSF conducted a survey which points to a “definite democratic change”.
Singh rubbished allegations that the Union Home Ministry’s October notification interfered with the local police system, which has conducted searches, seizures and searches within 50 km of the International Border in Assam, West Bengal and Punjab instead of 15 km east. And the jurisdiction was extended to make arrests. He said the BSF was not trying to “act as a parallel police” and the powers to investigate and file charge sheets remained with the state.
The Director-General (DG) of BSF said, “Over time, you must have noticed that whether it is Assam or West Bengal, the demographic balance has been disturbed to a great extent. For whatever reason it has changed…it has changed and there have been agitations in some states and for these reasons voices of dissent have emerged at times…Even the ‘voting pattern’ has changed in some border districts.’ ‘
State legislatures in opposition-ruled Punjab and West Bengal have passed resolutions against the Centre’s decision. Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi called it a “direct attack on federalism”, while West Bengal Transport Minister Firhad Hakim accused the Center of “trying to interfere through central agencies” in law and order.
Singh said on the eve of BSF’s 57th Raising Day, “Perhaps that is why the government has changed the jurisdiction of BSF from 15 km to 50 km and now it is acting as a complement and help to the state police in nabbing the infiltrators.” He said the new step would help the BSF and the state police to effectively check cross-border crimes such as smuggling of narcotics and arms.
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The Border Security Force guards more than 6,300 km on the Indian fronts with Pakistan in the west and Bangladesh in the east of the country. Singh said that “the BSF has no idea of interfering in the working of the local police or trying to work as a parallel police.”
In Punjab, West Bengal and Assam, the BSF’s jurisdiction was increased to 50 km from the earlier 15 km, in Gujarat it was reduced to 50 km from 80 km, while in Rajasthan the border was kept unchanged at 50 km. The issue sparked controversy as opposition-ruled Punjab and West Bengal condemned the move and their respective assemblies moved resolutions against the central government’s decision.
On the threat posed by the Taliban coming to power in Afghanistan, Singh said it is clear that they have arms, ammunition, helicopters, aircraft etc. Pakistan can exploit Taliban fighters and try to send them to India. We have alerted the soldiers posted on the borders.
