MHA increased BSF jurisdiction area

MHA increased BSF jurisdiction area. On October 11, the Ministry of Home Affairs has increased the area of jurisdiction for the Border Security Force in Punjab, Assam, and West Bengal. These three states share international borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. In a released notification, the union government allowed the BSF to search, seize and arrest the suspect just like the state police. MHA ha said that this decision is taken to tackle illegal activities which are linked to national security. On the one hand opposition parties ruling in Punjab, West Bengal is opposing this move whereas, on the other hand, BSF welcomed it.

How much area of jurisdiction is increased by BSF?

The Area is increased from 15 km to 50 km

Earlier, the area of jurisdiction was 15 km which is now extended to 50 km in Punjab, Assam, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. The area has been decreased in Gujarat from 80 km to 50 km.

“whole of the area” in Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, and the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. (Notification was released on July 3, 2014).

Attack on federalism?

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi strongly opposed this move and claimed it as an “attack on the federalism.” He asked Amit Shah to immediately withdraw the decision.

Transport Minister of West Bengal also said that the central government is violating the federal structure of the country and the central government is trying to interfere in state subjects through central agencies.

Deputy CM of Punjab said that the union government is punishing Punjab for protesting against the farm law and he asked the prime minister and home minister to reconsider the decision.

Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party have also criticized the move.

BSF has welcomed the move

BSF has welcomed the move by saying that it will help to establish uniformity and to curb trans-border crimes.

This step was taken to give uniformity to jurisdiction.