Manish Tewari targets Punjab govt for not challenging increased BSF jurisdictions
Darpan News Desk IANS, 08 Nov, 2021 04:53 PM
New Delhi, Nov 8 (IANS) Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib Manish Tewari on Monday targeted Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for not challenging the issue of increased BSF jurisdiction in the Supreme Court and wondered whether the opposition was "tokenism".
Tewari said in a tweet, "It has been close to a month now Central Govt by notification has extended BSF operational remit in Punjab to 50 Kilometres.Why till now notification has not been challenged by Punjab Govt India under Article 131 in Supreme Court of India Is opposition to it mere tokenism?"
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi had said that his government will not accept the Centre's decision to expand the BSF's jurisdiction from existing 15 km from the border to 50 km, as this is "against the spirit of federalism". He had said that 'since law and order is a state subject, the Centre cannot impose its decision on Punjab without taking them into confidence'.
The state police force is fully competent to handle the law and order situation, he said, citing how it contained the decade-long militancy in the state, restoring the long-lasting peace, harmony and brotherhood.
The Punjab Cabinet held an all party meeting last month and summoned the special session of the Assembly on November 8 to oppose the Centre's notification extending the jurisdiction of the BSF from 15 km to 50 km from the International Border, besides repealing the three "black" farm laws.
Tewari had earlier said that, "Mischievous part of Section 139 of BSF Act or of any cognizable offence punishable under any other Central Act; ..'It allows GOI to institutionalise an alternative policing paradigm. Was Punjab Govt consulted?"
Section 139 of the Border Security Force Act, 1968, empowers the Centre to notify the area and extent of the border force's operational mandate from time to time.
The addition of an extra 35-km stretch to the BSF's mandate could lead to a political storm in Punjab and Bengal which are ruled by non-BJP parties. The Congress leaders from Punjab were the first to oppose the move.
Channi also accompanied the martyr's nephew and his father to lit the pyre of the braveheart who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in a gunfight with the terrorists in Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir on October 11.
Cyber Police Station Kashmir has busted a KYC fraud gang after it received multiple complaints regarding KYC frauds. The victims were receiving unsolicited calls and SMS, urging them to call on some provided numbers for updating their KYC, a statement by Cyber Police Kashmir said on Wednesday.
Manish Tewari said in a tweet ,"MHA Notification enhancing operational mandate of BSF, 15 to 50 KM's in Punjab, West Bengal & Assam transgresses upon Constitutional Public order & Policing remit of States Half of Punjab will now fall under BSF jurisdiction @CHARANJITCHANNI must oppose it ".
In a statement, Randhawa, who also holds the Home portfolio, said "this illogical decision was absolutely against the spirit of the raising the border guarding forces, which were required to focus on the international border and act as the first line of defence".
The world's largest vaccination drive against Covid-19 is being conducted in India, "and it will be a special occasion to celebrate when we complete administering 100 crore doses of vaccines", said the source.
Bhartiya Kisan Union Tikait district vice president Balkar Singh had already made it clear that, "No political leader will be allowed to share the stage where only Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders will be present."
