‘Attack on federalism’, says Punjab CM Channi on Centre extending BSF’s jurisdiction

TIL Desk/National/Chandigarh/ The Punjab government took strong exception on Wednesday to the Centre’s reported move of empowering the BSF to carry out searches and make arrests up to an area of 50 km from the international border, dubbing it as an “attack on federalism”.

Some reports suggest that the Centre has empowered the Border Security Force (BSF) to conduct searches, arrest suspects and make seizures up to an area of 50 km inside the Indian territory from the international border. Earlier, the BSF was only empowered to take action up to 15 km inside Punjab. Several political party leaders have questioned the intent of the BJP-led Centre behind the move.

“I strongly condemn the GoI’s unilateral decision to give additional powers to BSF within 50 KM belt running along the international borders, which is a direct attack on the federalism. I urge the Union Home Minister @AmitShah to immediately rollback this irrational decision,” Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi tweeted.

However, former chief minister Amarinder Singh came out in support of the move, saying, “BSF’s enhanced presence & powers will only make us stronger. Let’s not drag central armed forces into politics.”