New Delhi: The Centre’s decision to give additional jurisdictional powers to the Border Security Force (BSF) within the 50-km belt along the international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh has created a political storm, with several political parties in Punjab and West Bengal terming it an “attack on federalism”.
A notification by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued on October 11 conferred on BSF officers the power to arrest, search, and seize 50 km inside Punjab, West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura.
A senior MHA official said, “The order is aimed at establishing uniformity in defining the area within which the BSF can operate as per its charter of duties and execute its task of guarding borders. This will also enable improved operational effectiveness in securing the International Border (IB).”
Noting that the MHA has issued the notification amending the BSF Act, 1968, the official said that earlier, these limits were different in different states. In Gujarat, it was 80 km, while it was 50 km in case of Rajasthan, and 15 km in Punjab, Bengal, Assam and Tripura. Under Section 139 of the Act, the Centre has the authority to notify the area and extent of operation of the BSF, he added. AGENCIES