Senior Congress leader Ripun Bora opposes extension of BSF's jurisdiction

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Rajya Sabha MP and senior Congress leader Ripun Bora on Saturday opposed the decision of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre to extend the power of Border Security Force (BSF) to conduct operation and arrest to 50 km from the international border.

In 2014, under the ambit of the Border Security Force Act of 1968, the Ministry of Home Affairs fixed the range of the BSF in Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya at 15 km of the Assam- Bangladesh border.

This order was also brought into effect in Punjab and West Bengal international borders, apart from Assam. But, through an ordinance on October 11, the area of operation by the BSF on the international borders was increased from an area of 15 km to that of 50 km from the border.

"The decision was made unilaterally by the Union government without consultation with the State government and stakeholders," Bora said, addressing a press conference here on Saturday.

"The decision has been unilaterally imposed by the Central Government on the State Governments. Before taking the decision, the Centre should have consulted the state governments concerned, which is necessary under the Constitution. The Centre did not abide by this. It will affect the federal structure of the Constitution, while usurping the Constitutional prerogative of the state governments," Bora said.

"This unilateral decision is affecting the Federal Structure of the Constitution, while usurping the Constitutional prerogative of the state governments," he said.

The chief ministers of Punjab and West Bengal have opposed the decision but Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has welcomed the move and we condemn this because CM Sarma has welcomed the decision only in the interest of his chair while laying Assam's interest and independence at the Centre's feet, he said.

Looking at the BSF's past record in human rights, it is a foregone conclusion that the people living in the area of 50 km from the border will suffer at the hands of the BSF and they will be harassed, Bora said.

"We oppose the Central government's decision and demand that the order be rescinded and also urge CM Himanta Biswa Sarma to keep Assam's interests in mind and not to kowtow to the Central government only to keep his chair intact," he added.

The Congress leader alleged that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who has already supported the decision of being selfish for his personal political goals.

"CM Sarma has welcomed the decision only in the interest of his chair while laying Assam's interest and independence at the Centre's feet,'' Bora added.

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