The West Bengal Assembly has passed a resolution against the central government’s move to expand BSF’s jurisdiction to 50km from the International Border in the state. A similar resolution was tabled and passed in the Punjab Assembly on November 11.
In October of this year, the central government amended the Border Security Force (BSF) Act to authorize the force to undertake seizure and arrest within a larger 50 km stretch, instead of 15 km, from the international border in Assam, Punjab and West Bengal.
Bengal’s ruling party leaders argue that the BSF’s new jurisdiction will cover more than 30% of Bengal’s territory including many important towns and goes against the federal structure where law and order is the state’s responsibility.
Tuesday’s resolution was moved by West Bengal parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee. “We demand that this decision be withdrawn immediately as enhancing the area of jurisdiction of the BSF is a direct attack on the country’s federal structure,” Chatterjee said, moving the resolution that was passed with the support of 112 legislators.
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Opposing the resolution against the BSF’s jurisdiction extension, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari said, “When Centre wants to withdraw CRPF from Jangalmahal, you all say withdrawal of CRPF might lead to regrouping of Maoists. During unrest in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Army was deployed. But you don’t have faith on BSF? You all are saying several Lok Sabha constituencies, Siliguri district headquarters everything will be taken over by BSF. That is not true. What was with state police, will remain with the state police.”
Further adding Adhikari said, “Requesting the minister to withdraw the resolution which he has moved. BSF’s jurisdiction should be extended to 80km and not just 50km.”
(With inputs from PTI.)
