Charanjit Singh Channi warns Centre to withdraw BSF presence, 'will be forced to abolish'

While Captain Amarinder Singh supported Centre over its decision to increase Border Security Force's (BSF) presence, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi demanded withdrawal of BSF range. Chief Minister warned Centre that increased range will be forcefully abolished by vember 8 if demand is t met. 'This will affect Centre-State relations,' threatened Punjab Chief Minister. 

Charanjit Singh Channi's statement:

Captain Amarinder Singh backs Centre's BSF decision 

Meanwhile, while addressing media, Captain Amarinder Singh slammed Congress while adding that BSF's enhanced presence is essential for security of Punjab. Amarinder Singh said, "Earlier Pakistan used to push drugs through tunnels but w drone dropping has started which is very dangerous. Pakistan drones have started entering 31 km onto Indian soil. Sleepers cells of both ISI and Khalistani are involved.  BSF is t going to take care of state security, y will track drones that are extending ir capacity. Punjab Police is a trained force and but y are t trained for handling drones or cross border smuggling."

Centre's decision to extend BSF jurisdiction

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on October 13 empowered BSF to conduct searches, seizures and arrests within a 50 km radius of territories along international border in Assam, Punjab and West Bengal. government had said that this will ensure 'zero tolerance' against terrorism.

Home Ministry took decision in excise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 129 of Border Security Force Act, 1948 (47 of 1968).

Earlier, limit was at 15 km. Furrmore, in five rastern states of Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Manipur, BSF's jurisdiction was decreased by 20 km, where force had authority up to 80 km earlier. In Gujarat, guarding organisation's jurisdiction has been set at 50 km from previous 80 km. 

Almost all opposition parties in Punjab, including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had opposed Centre's move to enhance  jurisdiction of BSF to up to 50 km inside international border. opposition parties have stated decision as an infringement on federalism and state rights. However, former Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh had lauded MHA's move to extend BSF jurisdiction.