Vijay Mohan
Chandigarh, July 26
The extension in territorial jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Punjab and some other states and union territories has helped the force to check cross-border smuggling, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated in Parliament today.
“Due to increased territorial jurisdiction, BSF has achieved success in curbing smuggling of drugs and other contraband items,” the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai claimed in a written reply to a question by Member of Parliament from Patiala, Preneet Kaur, in the Lok Sabha.
Three Pakistani drones along with 14.390 kg heroin, one Indian and three Pakistani drones, another 26.500 kg heroin, one pistol and two magazines with 22 rounds, six detonators and 4.750 kg RDX were recovered from the area of responsibility of BSF’s Punjab Frontier, the minister said. In addition, Indian currency of Rs1 lakh dropped by Pakistani drones was also seized.
According to MHA, the total amount of contraband seized during the above mentioned period includes six Pakistani and one Indian drones, 314.045 kgs heroin, 1.582 kgs opium, 48 weapons, 553 bullets, 92 magazines, six detonators and 12 cordex.
The extension in the territorial jurisdiction was aimed at empowering the BSF to discharge its border guarding duties more effectively in the wake of the use of technology like dynamic remotely operated navigation equipment (drones), unmanned aerial vehicle, etc., generally having long range, by anti-national forces for surveillance as well as for smuggling of arms, narcotics and fake Indian currency notes, the MHA said in its statement.
In October 2021, the central government had extended the jurisdiction of the BSF from 15 km from the demarcated international border to 50 km. This had drawn flak from some state governments, averring that it encroached upon the jurisdiction of their respective state police.
The then Congress government in Punjab had even moved the Supreme Court against the center’s move, terming it to be against the principles of federalism and that the move was undertaken without any consultations with the affected states.
The BSF guards over 6,300 km of border with Pakistan in the west and Bangladesh in the east. Its jurisdiction was enhanced from the earlier 15 km to 50 km in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. In Gujarat, the limit wasreduced from 80 km to 50 km while in Rajasthan it remained unchanged at 50 km.
Increased territorial jurisdiction of BSF helpful in curbing smuggling along Punjab border: MHA
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