Summary:
Chandigarh, Oct 25 (PTI) Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday attacked the Centre over the issue of jurisdiction of the BSF, accusing it of “weakening the federal structure by creating a state within a state”.
He also slammed the government for “disregarding the democratic rights of the people of Punjab” with extending the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF), and expressed fear of “torture, false cases, arbitrary detention and illegal arrests” in the state.
The Union government had recently amended the BSF Act to authorise the force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a 50 km stretch, up from the existing 15 km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.
In a series of tweets on Monday, Sidhu slammed the Centre as he participated in an all-party meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, convened to deliberate on the issue of jurisdiction of the BSF.
Except the BJP, representatives of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Aam Aadmi Party, Lok Insaaf Party and other parties attended the meeting.
“Centre is weakening country"s federal structure, by creating ‘a State within a State’ BSF means Border Security Force, What is definition of border? 50 Kms?? Public order, which connotes public peace & safety is primarily the responsibility of State Govt (Entry 1, State list),” tweeted Sidhu.