G.S. Paper-3: Internal Security
Context:
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has decided to study “border management”, which will also entail deliberations on the contentious extension of the jurisdiction of the Border Security force (BSF) up to 50 km inside the international borders in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam.
Background:
The Home Ministry, through a notification published on October 11, amended the BSF Act of 1968. The BSF’s powers which include arrest, search and seizure was till now only up to 15 km in these States. Punjab and West Bengal have objected to the change.
What has changed with the recent Amendment in the BSF Act?
How BSF Works? · The BSF is a central armed police force (CAPF) that functions under the Union government. · It was raised in 1965 in the aftermath of the India-Pakistan war. · The BSF Act was passed by Parliament in 1968 and the rules governing the Act were framed in 1969. · The MHA issues all orders pertaining to the BSF and other CAPFs · India is a Union of States and under the One Border One Force policy, the BSF is deployed along the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders. It is also deployed in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) and is routinely deployed for election and other law and order duties at the request of State governments. |
Major Concerns:
Arguments in favour of the recent Amendment
Conclusion:
To strengthen Internal security & policing capabilities it is vital that other security forces cooperate with local police forces, not bypass them. The BSF has had a relatively good record of local police cooperation thus far; the home ministry’s recent decision runs the risk of pitting the two against each other. Thus, co-operation is the key to reaching a win-win situation.
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