Union Home Ministry issues notification; extends BSF jurisdiction

New Delhi – The Border Security Force (BSF) responsible for guarding the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders has now extended jurisdiction in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. An area of 50 Kilometres from the border will be under the jurisdiction of BSF, where the BSF can carry out investigations, seizures, and arrests like the police without taking permission from the local administration. A few days ago, the Union Home Ministry had directed the BSF to act against illegal activities that could endanger national security. Smuggling of arms and drugs from Pakistan through drones and other means have increased on the Punjab border. Incidents of infiltration and drug trafficking have also increased along the border in West Bengal and Assam. Against this background, an extension of jurisdiction for BSF is critical.

On Wednesday, the Union Home Ministry issued a notification extending the jurisdiction of the BSF in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. Accordingly, the BSF has been given the authority to conduct operations, search, arrest within an area of 50 Kilometres from the border, which was limited to 15 km earlier. The jurisdiction of BSF and security forces is different in 10 states bordering other countries and in two Union Territories. The notification has reduced the jurisdiction of BSF in some states while maintained the same in few states.

As per the Union Home Ministry notification, the BSF’s jurisdiction in the northeastern states of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya has been reduced by 30 Kilometres to keep it limited to 50 Kilometres from the border. The earlier jurisdiction was up to 80 Kilometres. The jurisdiction of BSF in Gujarat has also been reduced from 80 Kilometres to 50 Kilometres. In Rajasthan, an area up to 50 Kilometres is already under the control of BSF and it has remained unchanged. Also, in the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the jurisdiction is 50 km. In a way, uniformity has been brought into the jurisdiction of the BSF.

In recent times, Punjab has seen an increase in security challenges. Security forces and investigation agencies have destroyed several terror modules. While infiltration and smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir are becoming difficult due to actions and measures taken by the security forces hence terrorists have turned their focus to Punjab. An investigation has revealed that a conspiracy was being hatched in Pakistan to destabilize Punjab. Against this background, enhancing and extending the jurisdiction of BSF is a crucial step.