On the decision to expand the BSF’s jurisdiction in the border states, Sharad Pawar said, “I will meet Home Minister Amit Shah to know his views on it.”
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief and senior politician Sharad Pawar on Saturday said he will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the Centre’s decision to expand the operational jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF). “I will meet Home Minister Amit Shah to know his views about it,” news agency ANI quoted Pawar as saying that day.
Pawar’s remarks come at a time when some border states like Punjab and West Bengal have criticized the Centre’s controversial decision to extend the BSF’s jurisdiction in the bordering states as a violation of the federal structure of the country and the rights of the states. has been criticized.
Earlier this week, Pawar had criticized the central government for “misusing” central agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Income Tax Department and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
“We oppose this decision. This is a violation of the rights of the state. The BSF is running along the International Border within a radius of 50 km, which is a direct attack on federalism. I urge Union Home Minister @AmitShah to immediately withdraw this irrational decision.”
The central government amended the Border Security Force Act to allow the BSF to conduct searches, seizures and arrests over a large area of 50 km from the International Border in West Bengal, Assam and Punjab. The earlier limit for this was 15 km and the Union Home Ministry on October 11 issued a notification to amend the Act, several news agencies reported.
Despite criticism from West Bengal and Punjab, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said he welcomed the Centre’s decision. “Assam welcomes the expansion of operational jurisdiction of BSF. This move in coordination with the State Police will act as a strong deterrent to defeat cross-border smuggling and illegal infiltration. It strengthens national security and national interest,” ANI quoted the CM as saying earlier.
In July, Pawar, a former defense minister, along with Congress leader AK Antony, met Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh for an informal discussion about the border situation with neighboring Pakistan and China and the situation in Afghanistan.