The Center has 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.
Hitting out at the Center over its decision to expand the jurisdiction of the BSF, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on October 14 said it was a “violation” of the rights of the state and an attack on the federal structure of the country.
The Center has 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.
Seeking his withdrawal, the TMC claimed that the decision was taken without consulting the West Bengal government.
“We oppose this decision. This is a violation of the rights of the state. What was the sudden need to increase the jurisdiction of BSF without informing the state government? TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.
“If the BSF has to conduct any searches, they can always do so in collaboration with the state police. This practice has been in place for years. This is an attack on the federal structure.”
Senior TMC MP Saugata Roy alleged that the BSF does not have a good track record on human rights in border villages.
“The Center and Home Minister Amit Shah are trying to weaken the states. The track record of the BSF in terms of human rights in the border villages is not good.
State Congress president Adhir Chowdhury warned the Union home ministry of “consequences” over the move.
“The extension of #BSF area of jurisdiction up to 50 km from the border of some states amounts to openly infringing on the territory of the states. @HMOIndia [Home Ministry], you must not include any ‘sneaking’ [meddling] Otherwise there will be consequences,” he said in a tweet.
The state BJP slammed the TMC for criticizing it, saying the purpose of opposing the changes was to appease its vote bank.
“The TMC government has failed to check cross-border infiltration and smuggling. TMC’s protest is aimed at appeasing its vote bank,” said BJP state general secretary Sayantan Basu.
The Union Home Ministry issued a notification in this regard on October 11, amended in July 2014 to enable the provision for BSF personnel and officers working in border areas.
BSF officials said the amendment will 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 km. area from the border.
In Gujarat, which shares a border with Pakistan, the same limit has been reduced from 80 km to 50 km, while in Rajasthan it has been kept unchanged at 50 km.
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