Legal Awareness workshops conducted in association with MASUM and others

PBKMS organizes workshops post increase in jurisdiction of the BSF in three states in association with civil society partners

Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS) in association with MASUM (Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha), RTFWN (Right to Food and Work Network) and other civil society partners organizes a series of workshops, interactive sessions and awareness camps on rights guaranteed by the Indian constitution and legal safeguards provided by the justice delivery system. The need to have such a series of engagements was felt after the recent increase in the operational jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) was flagged by the civil society as a regressive step in furthering the civil and political rights of citizens. The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken a unilateral decision to increase the jurisdiction of BSF from 15 kilometres to 50 kilometres (from the International border towards the Indian territory) in the states of Punjab, Assam and West Bengal. 

The experience of the populace residing in the areas close to the International boundary with Bangladesh points to the severe restrictions imposed by the BSF which often interferes with the provisions of article 19 of the Indian constitution, guaranteeing certain fundamental rights to the citizens of the nation. The constant presence of 'men in uniform' in villages, which are in no way threatened by any foreign nation in close proximity, limit the access to women to public spaces and may have a negative impact on the psychology of children. The paramilitary force in the areas close to the International boundary with Bangladesh often stands guard deep within Indian territory with reports of increasing interference in livelihood activities and free movement of the populace. Even cases of torture, sexual harassment, enforced disappearances and custodial deaths have been repeatedly highlighted by human rights networks and complainants had to face hurdles in even registering their grievances against the BSF. Hence, the existing experience of the local people raises apprehensions on further curtailment of civil rights after the increase in their jurisdiction. The force has also powers of initiating arrest, search and seizure in their operation areas which draws them into a turf war with the state police force. Apprehensions of high handedness and unreasonable use of such powers have given way to a certain anxiousness amongst the people residing within the present jurisdiction with limited grievance redressal mechanisms in place.

Crucial judgements in the context of the numerous provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and rights of citizens during lodging of a complaint with the police department have been discussed in the workshops. The need to be vocal in upholding the rights of fellow citizens and the importance of active community involvement have also been stressed to build a democratic resistance against any measures towards curtailment of the rights of people.    

Shri Sujoy Singh Roy from MASUM conducting a session in Raninagar-1 block, Murshidabad     

Com. Uttam Gayen, General Secretary of PBKMS addressing the participants of Raiganj workshop

Shri Kirity Roy, Secretary of MASUM addressing the participants of Raiganj workshop

Shri Kirity Roy, Secretary of MASUM delivering the keynote address at the Badu, Kolkata workshop

The sessions ended with a call to embark on a campaign with the following central demands in association with various civil society organizations and networks in West Bengal:

• Revoking the decision to increase the operational jurisdiction of BSF
• Placing the BSF at the zero point of the International border and not in villages on the Indian side