News Analysis India

Tag: BSF Act

  • West Bengal Assembly to discuss extension of BSF’s jurisdiction on November 17

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The West Bengal assembly will on November 17 discuss the extension of BSF’s jurisdiction from the international border, TMC chief whip Nirmal Ghosh said on Friday. Speaking to reporters at the assembly, Ghosh said the decision was taken at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee.

    Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier criticised the Centre’s move to extend the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF), alleging that it was an attempt to interfere with the federal structure of the country.

    The BJP-led central government had amended the BSF Act to authorise the force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a larger 50 km stretch, instead of 15 km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.

    The state assembly on Friday passed a resolution, carving out Bally Municipality from the Howrah Municipal Corporation area to help people get better civic amenities. Municipal Affairs Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya tabled the proposal as the House proceedings began and TMC’s Bally MLA Rana Chatteejee and Kandi MLA Apurba Sarkar spoke in favour of the resolution.

    Bhattacharya said the decision was taken in the interest of the people, so that they do not travel all the way to Howrah for getting their work done. Sixteen wards of Bally Municipality were merged with 50 wards of Howrah Municipal Corporation in 2015.

    Following the bifurcation, now the number of wards is likely to be rearranged. Ghosh said that the Howrah Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Bill will be tabled in the assembly on November 16. The state cabinet approved the bifurcation in January.

    “We want to give better amenities to every citizen, hence this decision was taken. If anyone opposes it, they are doing it for political reasons,” Bhattacharya later told reporters, replying to a question on BJP’s opposition to the move.

    Meanwhile, Harischandrapur MLA Tajmul Hussain raised the issue of a skulk of foxes attacking a village in his constituency in the Malda district, injuring around 40 people. As Forest Minister Jyotipriyo Mallick was not present in the House, he urged Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay to draw the minister’s attention.

    Kandi MLA Apurba Sarkar flagged the issue of delay in the construction of Ranagram bridge in Murshidabad district, stating that it is causing immense hardship to the people. No BJP MLA was present in the House on Friday.

    The assembly was adjourned till November 15.

  • Extension of BSF’s jurisdiction attempt to interfere into federal structure: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

    By PTI

    SILIGURI: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticised the Centre’s move to extend the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force, alleging that it is an attempt to interfere into the federal structure of the country.

    The BJP-led central government had amended the BSF Act to authorise the force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a larger 50 km stretch, instead of 15 km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.

    Banerjee, however, said the state has no problems in the border areas.

    “About the BSF matter, we have sent a letter protesting the move. Earlier, they had jurisdiction of 15 km, there were incidents of firing in Balurghat or Cooch Behar. Now, they extended it to 50 km. This is an attempt to interfere into the federal structure of the country,” Banerjee said at an administrative review meeting here.

    “We do not have problems in the border areas and share very cordial relations (with neighbouring countries). There is no need to create this confusion. Law and order is a state subject. BSF must look after what they are responsible for and we will have total support for that,” she said.

    West Bengal shares an international border with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.

    Banerjee had on Sunday appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately withdraw the Union Home Ministry’s notification that extended the jurisdiction of BSF.

  • Attack on federal structure of India: Trinamool Congress on Centre extending BSF’s jurisdiction

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: Hitting out at the Centre over its decision to extend the jurisdiction of the BSF, the Trinamool Congress on Thursday said it was an “infringement” on the rights of the state and an attack on the federal structure of the country.

    The Centre has amended the BSF Act to authorise the force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a larger 50 km stretch, instead of the existing 15 km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.

    Demanding its withdrawal, the TMC claimed the decision was taken without consulting the West Bengal government. “We oppose this decision. This is an infringement on the rights of the state. What was the sudden need to enhance the BSF’s jurisdiction without informing the state government?” TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.

    “If the BSF has to conduct any search, they can always do it along with the state police. This has been the practice for years. It is an attack on the federal structure,” he added. Senior TMC MP Sougata Roy alleged that the BSF doesn’t have a good track record on human rights in border villages.

    “The Centre and Home Minister Amit Shah are trying to weaken the states. BSF doesn’t have a good track record when it comes to human rights in border villages,” he said.

    The expansion of #BSF area of jurisdiction upto 50 km from border of some states amounts to brazen infringement upon the territory of states.@HMOIndia , you should not indulge any ‘Chherkhani’ else will face the consequences.
    — Adhir Chowdhury (@adhirrcinc) October 14, 2021
    State Congress president Adhir Chowdhury warned the Union Home Ministry of “consequences” over the move. “The expansion of #BSF area of jurisdiction upto 50 km from border of some states amounts to brazen infringement upon the territory of states. @HMOIndia (Home Ministry), you should not indulge any ‘Chherkhani’ (meddling) else will face the consequences,” he said in a tweet.

    The state BJP slammed the TMC for its criticism, saying that its opposition to the changes is aimed at appeasing its vote bank. “The TMC government has failed to check cross-border infiltration and smuggling. The TMC’s opposition is aimed at appeasing its vote bank,” said Sayantan Basu, the BJP’s state general secretary.

    The Union Home Ministry issued a notification in this context on October 11, amending a July 2014 enabling provision for the BSF personnel and officers while they operate in the border areas.

    BSF officials said the amendment will help them in effectively curbing trans-border crimes and the new amendment brings in “uniformity” for its operations in the borders states of Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Assam where it can now operate within 50 km area from the border.

    In Gujarat, which shares border with Pakistan, the same limit has been reduced from 80 km to 50 km, while in Rajasthan, it has been kept unchanged at 50 km.