Lagatar24 Desk
Chandigarh, Nov 11: The Punjab assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution against the Centre’s order that extended the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force from 15km to 50 km. The resolution was moved by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa in Vidhan Sabha’s special session.
“The decision of extending the jurisdiction of BSF is an expression of distrust towards the state police and the people of Punjab,” said Randhawa.
Notably, the Centre had earlier in October empowered the Border Security Force (BSF) to conduct searches, arrest suspects and make seizures up to an area of 50 km inside Indian territory from the International Border (IB) along India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders. BSF, has now been authorized to extend its jurisdiction up to 50 km from the International border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam without any hurdle or permission either from Central or State government.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh asked the state government not to politicize the issue of national security for petty partisan ends and motives. He pointed out that it is not only Punjab but the states like Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal and others where the BSF jurisdiction is 50 km inside the international border.
“Pakistan is using sophisticated technology and highly improvised drones with a wide range of as much as 30 km, so it is important that the BSF gets more operational jurisdiction”, added former Chief Minister.
