BSF will get the right of investigation, seizure and arrest within a radius of 50 km from the border

13-10-2021: The Union Government has taken important steps to strengthen the Border Security Force (BSF). Under the new decision, the BSF can now conduct search operations and seizure operations along with arresting suspects within a radius of 50 km inside the International Border.

The new decision of the government will be applicable to the areas bordering India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh. Under the new order, the BSF can now use its new forces within a radius of 50 km in 10 states and two union territories. Earlier in Punjab, West Bengal, and Assam, BSF had such permissions within a radius of only 15 km.

However, the BSF’s jurisdiction has been reduced to 20 km in five northeastern states. These states are Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, and Meghalaya. Earlier in these states, BSF had the right to act on the border areas up to 80 km. Similarly in Gujarat also, the BSF’s jurisdiction along the border has come down from 80 km to 50 km. In Rajasthan, this right is retained for 50 km.

The BSF has the responsibility of guarding 4096.7 km of the India-Bangladesh border and 3323 km of the Indo-Pakistan border. Apart from this, this security force also has the responsibility of eliminating the Maoists present in Chhattisgarh and Odisha. Powers of BSF Section 139 of the Border Security Force Act, 1968 empowers the Center to notify the area and extent of operations of the Border Force from time to time.