Mamata Banerjee accuses BSF of killing villagers

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again opened a front against the Border Security Force (BSF). Mamata instructed the SP of Cooch Behar district and said that you should not allow BSF to enter within 50 km from the border. BSF men are entering villages and killing people and throwing them on the other side, in Bangladesh. BSF should not be allowed to do all this.

Mamata Banerjee said that the BSF, which comes under the central government, smuggles cows across the international border and kills people and throws their bodies in Bangladesh, but the blame falls on the Bengal police. That’s why I have asked the state police to stop the BSF.

How did Hanskhali (rape-murder) incident occur? Why did Inspector Incharge not keep forth correct facts? This occurred due to his negligence. It needs to be reported how many people died in your district. Panchayat issues certificates & we don't even know about it: WB CM (1/2) pic.twitter.com/zSPx8mqnka— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2022

A suicide case was turned into a rape case. BJP and CPI(M) are both trying to defame Bengal. We will not let Bengal become Hathras or Unnao: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee in a virtual meeting with Police and administration pic.twitter.com/0pbZjDezOr— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2022

Union Home Ministry had extended the jurisdiction of BSF in October 2021

In October 2021, making changes to the BSF Act, the Union Home Ministry increased the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) on the international border of Pakistan and Bangladesh. After this, BSF officers have got permission for search, arrest and seizure in West Bengal, Punjab and Assam in areas up to 50 km along the country’s border.

This decision created a political controversy in Punjab. In Punjab, the local police used to help BSF in any action. Congress and Akali Dal strongly opposed it. The then Chief Minister of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi called it an attack on the authority of the state.
Like Punjab, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also consistently opposed this decision. In December, the West Bengal Assembly passed a resolution against the expansion of the BSF’s jurisdiction.

The decision of the central government had an impact on 12 states

Based on the provisions under section 139(1) of the BSF Act 1968, the decision of the Union Home Ministry has effect in 12 States of Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and on Ladakh.

Out of these, only three states are Assam, West Bengal and Punjab, where the jurisdiction of BSF has increased much more than before. In these states, earlier the BSF could act up to 15 km from the border. Now she will be able to take action up to 50 km without a magistrate’s order or warrant.