A political row has erupted in Punjab after Home Ministryextended the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) across a 50-kmstretch of India's border in the state, empowering its officers with powers onpar with state police, including the authority to arrest, conduct raids andseize.
Now, at least half of Punjab, almost 25000sq km (out of atotal 50,000sq km) has been placed under BSF jurisdiction. Punjab Police standscastigated and the decision has not gone well political parties like Congress andSAD, who are gearing for upcoming assembly elections in 2022.
Around five to six districts including Pathankot, Gurdaspur,Amritsar, Ferozpur, Fazilka and Abohar come under a 50km area which is nowunder Center-controlled BSF. Out of 117 seats, around 40 to 50 constituenciesfall in the districts, over which BSF will hold power. Impact on the federalsystem is one of the key concerns of political parties in the state.
In the border state, BSF will now hold power equivalent topolice.
MHA, on the other hand, states that this decision was madeto stop illicit activities in Punjab that are related to national security.
"It's a very politically sensitive move. The main aimof BSF is to guard borders and stop infiltration. Recent cases have shown theyhave not been able to guard the delineated line.”
Drone dropping of weapons and narcotics from across theborder is one of the major issues that should be handled at the earliest.According to reports, several high profile individuals who could be related totop state politicians are also engaged in illegal drug smuggling in Punjab.
Now, experts claim Central government could defame theruling Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) having strong hold on the JattSikh vote bank, by arresting some big fish in Punjab which may have connectionswith top political leaders.
According to our experts, the unprecedented BSF move by theCenter is ‘politically motivated.’
Where Congress and SAD are publically condemning Centre’s‘unilateral' decision, one leader remains an exception. Apart from BJPpoliticians who applauded the move, former chief minister Capt Amarinder Singhwas the only one who backed it.
Meanwhile, the central government also believed that bordersecurity was strong under the rule of Captain Amarinder Singh. With CaptAmarinder being ousted, the top authority decided to extend its own power forthe cause of safety from neighbouring countries like Pakistan and China.