Punjab Assembly unanimously passes resolution rejecting Centre's order on BSF jurisdiction

The Punjab Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution against the Centre's order that extended the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF), calling it an "insult" to the state police and seeking its withdrawal.

The House unanimously passed the resolution "rejecting" the Centre's order in the absence of the only two BJP members of the state assembly.

The Union government had last month amended the BSF Act to authorise the border guarding force to undertake search, seizure and arrest within a 50 km stretch, up from the existing 15 km, from the international border in Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. The resolution was moved by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.