Coming down heavily on Union Home Minister Amit Shah for increasing the jurisdiction of the Border Security Forces (BSF) from 15 km to 50 km in West Bengal, Punjab and Assam, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders have described the move as . illegal” and “unconstitutional”.
In a gazette notification, the Union Home Minister referred to the amendments made in the previous notification of 2014 to the jurisdiction of the BSF, where it exercises its powers in the states guarding the international border.
As per the amendment, the BSF can work in an area of 50 km inside the Indian border from the International Border (IB) along the Indo-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders to investigate terrorist activities and cross-border crimes.
It is learned that as per Section 139 of the Border Security Force Act, 1968, the Central Government can modify and amend the area and increase the operational requirement of the BSF (depending on the situation).
The new circular also empowered the BSF to conduct raids to investigate border-related offences, in coordination with the local administration.
Condemning the move, Rabindranath Ghosh, a senior TMC leader and chairman of the North Bengal Development Board (NBDB), said, “The extension of the BSF’s jurisdiction by the Union Home Ministry will lead to a standoff between the central force and the local administration. . border area. I believe that the decision taken by the central government is unconstitutional, illegal and an attempt to crush the democratic structure of our country.
“We have police stations, state police and administration to look after illegal activities and maintain law and order situation. Increasing the jurisdiction of BSF clearly shows too much interference of the central government in the affairs of the state,” he said.
West Bengal shares international border with Bangladesh. The state has a 2,217 km long border with Bangladesh.
TMC’s state general secretary and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh tweeted, “The manner in which the Union Home Ministry has increased the BSF’s jurisdiction in the border area from 15 km to 50 km is highly objectionable. It is a backdoor attempt to interfere in the affairs of the state with the intention of destabilizing the elected government. The state government is looking into the matter and will give an appropriate reply at the right time.
TMC MP Sukhendu Shekhar Roy claimed that the state government would soon respond to the matter.
Former Finance and External Affairs Minister and Trinamool Congress Vice President Yashwant Sinha also objected to the decision and tweeted, “Till now two mischievous minds ruling Delhi by misusing ED, Income Tax, CBI, NIA, Narcotics Bureau. and other such agencies. Now, they have included BSF in that list. Federalism can go to hell.”
The decision taken by the Union Home Minister is surely going to be another flashpoint between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Home Minister Amit Shah as ‘Didi’ has repeatedly expressed dismay at the BSF for entering the border villages in Bengal. is expressed. Names of Community Development Programs
In March 2020, amid reports of BSF involvement in community development programs (CDPs) in border areas, Mamata Banerjee asked the state administration to ensure that BSF is not allowed to enter villages in the name of social service/community development programmes. Shouldn’t.
Addressing an administrative meeting at Kaliganj in North Dinajpur, Mamata had said, “They (BSF) should not interfere in local issues. It is the job of the police to look after local issues. Police should be alert here as North Dinajpur shares its border with Bangladesh.
“I have taken up the matter with the Union Home Minister and informed the ministry about their (BSF) activities. Those who are guarding the border should not enter the villages in the name of community services. They should not interfere in local issues as law and order is a state subject. I would like to ask the police officers posted in these areas to look into the matter.”
West Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also objected to the move and tweeted, “Extension of #BSF area of jurisdiction up to 50 km from the border of some states amounts to openly violating the territory of the states. @HMOIndia, you should not indulge in any ‘Cheerkhani’ otherwise you will have to face the consequences.”
However, BJP leader and MLA from Nandigram Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the move and tweeted, “I congratulate Honorable Home Minister of India Shri @AmitShah ji for this gazette notification. Hope that strengthening of the porous border of West Bengal will put an end to the free-flowing illicit trade of narcotics and cow smuggling and infiltration; WB operating due to the patronage of the ruling party and the police.
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