PBKMS protests against the increase in operational jurisdiction of the BSF

Civil Society organizations submit deputations at regional centres of the BSF in West Bengal to protest against the unilateral decision of the union home ministry to increase the jurisdiction of the paramilitary force

On the occasion of the 57^th Raising Day of the BSF (Border Security Force), PBKMS (Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity) and numerous civil society partners submitted deputations under the banner ‘Amra Simantabasi’ (We the border people) at their regional centres in districts across West Bengal. In Kolkata, we took out a protest march from Minto Park which culminated at the paramilitary force’s Eastern Command headquarters with the submission of a deputation to the commanding officer.

The union ministry on 11^th October, 2021 brought out a notification proclaiming an amendment of a 2014 notification to extend the jurisdiction of the BSF to 50 kilometres inside Indian territory from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. The paramilitary force will now be able to conduct search, seizure and arrest up to 50 kilometres inside Indian territory which will be similar to the imposition of martial law on a large number of residents. We condemn the unilateral decision of the central government to infringe upon the subject of law and order which is an exclusive domain of the state government. The political leadership also did not feel the need to initiate a dialogue with the opposition as well as the civil society to discuss the need for bringing out the notification.

The population residing at the border areas have also complained about the high handedness of the stationed BSF personnel time and again and civil society groups have brought out shocking incidents of violation of human rights ranging from illegal detention to torture and violation of the dignity of women.    

We have stated the following demands in the deputations and demand charter submitted to the BSF officials:

• The paramilitary force should remain at the International border and make sincere efforts to prevent any disruption in the normal lives of the residents of bordering areas. The continuous presence of armed personnel in villages should be avoided.

• All complaints on violation of human rights by the paramilitary force should be impartially probed.

• As ordered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in the Anuradha Bhasin case, section 144 should cease to be continuously in force in the border areas.

• The notification of the union home ministry on the increase in jurisdiction of the paramilitary force should be revoked immediately.

• Often the lands and ponds of the farming community fall on the other side of the barbed wires. They should be allowed access to them from 06:00 hours to 18:00 hours. 

• The paramilitary force should adhere to its constitutional limits and uphold the fundamental rights of the population residing at the border areas, especially the provisions of Article 14 (Right to equality), Article 19 (Freedom of movement in Indian territory) and Article 21 (Right to life).

After submission of the deputation in Nadia

Members before a procession to the main camp of BSF in North 24 Parganas

We are also organizing workshops and awareness camps for our activists, coordinators and the general membership of the union residing at the border areas to discuss the implications of the concerned notification. Various provisions of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) and the constitutional rights of Indian citizens will also be taken up for discussion to enable people in seeking redressal against possible grievances on the operations of the BSF in the areas under their jurisdiction.

In solidarity:

Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Manch

Members of Right to Food Network, West Bengal

PSU

Shramajivee Mahila Samity

SDTU

AIKKS

Bandi Mukti Committee

Friends of Democracy

RYF

AIRSO