Chandigarh: Opposing the Union government’s move to extend the Border Security Force (BSF)’s area of jurisdiction in the state, the Punjab cabinet on Monday said law and order is a state subject and the police force is capable of dealing with any situation.
The Union government had amended the BSF Act to authorise the 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.
“We are completely against it. Law and order is a state subject. The state police, which can end terrorism from the state, is capable of preventing any incident,” Charanjit Singh Channi, the chief minister of Punjab, stated after chairing a cabinet meeting.
I strongly oppose & condemn the GoI's authoritarian decision to illogically expand the @BSF_India's jurisdiction to 50 km inside the Punjab territory. People of Punjab are greatly offended by this unilateral action. This is an anti-democratic & anti-federal decision by Modi Govt.
— Charanjit S Channi (@CHARANJITCHANNI) October 18, 2021
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“We oppose it,” the chief minister said, adding that the move is not justified.
Also Read: Why Amit Shah’s Decision to Expand Definition of ‘Border Area’ for BSF Defies Logic
Such decisions should not be taken without consulting the state government, he added.
“A special cabinet meeting will be called on this issue,” Channi said.
“If the need arises, an all-party meeting will be called. We will take other (political) parties along (over this issue),” he said.
“A special assembly session will be convened if needed,” he added.
On Sunday, the Shiromani Akali Dal targeted the Punjab government over the extension of the BSF’s jurisdiction, saying the chief minister should answer “why he had acquiesced” to the Union government’s move.
Last week, the state government had taken a strong exception to the Union government’s decision, dubbing it an attack on federalism .
It had also asked the Union government to withdraw the decision.
(PTI)
