Resolution against extension of BSF powers: West Bengal Assembly passes resolution against Centre’s decision, uproar over TMC MLA’s remarks

A resolution was passed in the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday against expanding the scope of the BSF’s jurisdiction. BJP MLAs opposed the proposal brought by the Mamta government. Bengal is the second state after Punjab, which has passed a resolution in the assembly against the Centre’s decision. The motion got 112 votes in favor and 63 against it.

The proposal was introduced by the state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee. He said that we demand that this decision should be withdrawn immediately, because increasing the jurisdiction of BSF is a direct attack on the federal structure of the country.

Opposition to Udayan Guha’s comment
During the discussion on the proposal, a comment by TMC MLA Udayan Guha caused a huge uproar. Guha said that a child living in the border area can never be a patriot if he sees the BSF inappropriately touching his mother under the guise of searching the body. BJP MLAs protested the remark and demanded its removal.

Leader of Opposition Shubhendu Adhikari said that the use of such language against a force like BSF is completely unacceptable. When the central government tries to withdraw the central forces from Junglemahal, the same state government opposes the move. And now this government is opposing the activities of BSF. With this new rule, there is no question of dispute between the state police and the BSF and the state police.

BSF’s rights increased in three states

The Union Home Ministry has changed the jurisdiction of BSF. These changes have been made on the basis of the provisions made under section 139(1) of the BSF Act 1968. It will affect 12 states of Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Out of these, only three states are Assam, West Bengal and Punjab, where the jurisdiction of BSF will increase much more than before. In these states, earlier the BSF could act up to 15 km from the border. Now she will be able to take action for 50 km without a magistrate’s order or warrant.

BSF’s action reduced in Gujarat
Talking about the rest of the states, in the 5 states of North East, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, BSF will have the right to take action in the entire state. Similarly, BSF can operate anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The scope of BSF’s action in Gujarat has reduced. Here earlier she could act within a radius of 80 km from the border. Now it has come down to 50 kms.

At the same time, this order will not have any effect in Rajasthan. Here the radius of BSF’s jurisdiction will remain as before, 50 km.