The Punjab assembly passed a resolution against the Centre’s notification that extended the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF).
Calling it an “insult” to the state police, the state government sought its withdrawal.
The resolution was moved by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa who said that the decision of extending the jurisdiction of BSF is an expression of distrust towards the State Police and the people of Punjab.
‘Centre should have consulted the state before taking such a major decision’
He further said that as per the Constitution of India, maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the state government and said that the state government is fully competent for this purpose.
The central government should have consulted the state before taking such a major decision, said Randhawa adding that the law and order situation in Punjab is totally under control.
Reacting to this, Former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that BSF’s operational jurisdiction concerns national security and should not be politicised.
In a series of tweets, he said that extending the operational jurisdiction of BSF does not infringe upon the federal authority of Punjab.
BSF’s operational jurisdiction concerns national security: Amarinder
Extending operational jurisdiction of BSF neither infringes upon the federal authority of Punjab nor questions competence of state police in maintaining law and order, as some vested political interests are trying to make out, said the Captain.
Backing the Union government’s decision, he said it concerns national security and must not be politicised.
“Unfortunately people playing up the issue are unable to make out the difference between law and order and national security. BSF like Punjab Police is our own force and not an external or foreign army coming to occupy our land,” he added.
In October, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government amended the BSF Act to authorise the border guarding force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a 50 km stretch, up from the existing 15 km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.
