Jalandhar (The Stellar News): Frontier HQrs BSF Punjab is deployed along 553 km of Indo-Pakistan Border. BSF acting in close coordination with various security agencies including State Police to effectively counter the threats emanating from across the border, such as narcotics smuggling, arms smuggling and other criminal activities being attempted by ANEs. During the year 2021, the following activity & achievements have been recorded in the area of responsibility of Punjab Frontier, seized 387 Kgs of drugs, 55 weapons, 77 Apprehensions, 6 killings , 15 handed over to Pakistan. while BSF has also reported 45 incidents of drone sightings in year 2021 till date.
BSF is mandated to guard the borders, to prevent cross border crimes which include infiltration, smuggling of any form, create a sense of security among the border population. The emerging national security issues are becoming challenges. In order to perform the assigned duties, BSF has been given certain powers under various laws to discharge its duties effectively.
Since 1969, BSF vide GOI Notification was given the powers of arrest, search and seizure under certain acts and laws, which extended till 15 Kms in State of Punjab running along the border,50 Km in Rajasthan and 80 Kms in Gujrat. The acts included Foreigners Act 1967, Foreigners Act (Entry into India) Act 1920, Customs Act, NDPS Act, Arms Act. Now the Central Govt has issued Three Notifications vide SO 4196(E), SO 4197(E), SO 4198(E) dated 11.10.2021 respectively under provisions of CrPC 1973, Passport (Entry into India) Act 1920 and Passport Act 1967 uniformly extending the jurisdiction of Border Security Force within a belt of 50 kms running along the borders of India in the State of Punjab.
The above change in territorial jurisdiction vide Notification dated 11.10.2021 pertains only to powers conferred upon BSF under Criminal Procedure Code1973, Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and Passport Act 1967. Whereas, the territorial jurisdiction of BSF under NDPS Act 1985, Arms Act 1959 and Customs Act 1962 remain same ie 15 Km as notified earlier in the State of Punjab running along the borders of India.
BSF has no policing powers, as it does not have powers to register FIR nor to carry out investigations. Any seizure or apprehension made have to be handed over to State Police or any other Law Enforcement Agency. The State Police jurisdiction continues to be till border. Due to shortage of reaction time, if ever, BSF will be able to act till greater distance to check crime and facilitate State Police.
Thus, the enhanced jurisdiction will help BSF to strengthen the hands of the police. This is an enabling provision which is aimed at strengthening and complementing the efforts of the State Police. BSF has been acting in close coordination with police to conduct Joint Operations including deploying joint Nakas, implementing SOP on drones etc.
Sympathetic to the issue of farmers having agricultural land between border fence and International Boundary (IB) in Punjab state and facing loss in agricultural income due to farming restrictions in 06 border districts of Amritsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Tarn Taran, Government of India has sanctioned an amount of INR 35,36,13,326/- as payment of 50% share of UOI as compensation to farmers vide its L/No 17014/21/2007-BN-I (Pt-II) dt 01 Nov 2021. The same amount as matching share will be sanctioned by Government of Punjab. Further, during 2015 to 2017 BSF has paid Rs 24,03,62,800 /- (approx) as compensation to the farmers through the state of the Punjab.
Synergy with all state agencies is being maintained by BSF for maintaining security at IB. BSF is ever committed to its duty and motto.
