New Delhi:
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala on Thursday slammed the centre over its “unilateral” decision to increase Border Security Force jurisdiction in party-ruled (and poll-bound) Punjab, and claimed it was meant to deflect attention from the movement of heroin through Gujarat’s Adani Port this year.
Mr Surjewala’s pointed tweet claimed a “chronology”, referring first to two drug consignments – a 25,000 kg shipment that reportedly passed through the Adani Port in June and a 3,000 kg (valued at Rs 20,000 crore) shipment captured at the same port in September.
“The Chronology –
25,000 kg of heroin came through Adani Port, Gujarat on 9/6/2021
3,000 kg of heroin caught at Adani Port, Gujarat on 13/9/2021.
BSF jurisdiction unilaterally increased from 15 km to 50 km in Punjab.
Federalism Dead, Conspiracy Clear,” he tweeted.
The Chronology-
• 25,000 Kgs of Heroin Drugs came through Adani Port, Gujarat on 9/6/2021.
• 3,000 Kgs of Heroin Drugs caught at Adani Port, Gujarat on 13/9/2021.
• BSF jurisdiction unilaterally increased from 15 Kms to 50 Kms in Punjab.
Federalism Dead, Conspiracy Clear.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) October 14, 2021
The haul jibe comes after a Home Ministry order last night that said BSF jurisdiction in three states – Punjab, Bengal, and Assam – will now include all areas within 50 km of the international border.
Previously BSF jurisdiction was up to 15 km from the border.
The new order means the BSF can carry out searches and make arrests within a wider area.
This sets up a potentially explosive situation in Punjab, with the BSF and police likely to clash over jurisdiction in a state where the BJP and Congress will go head-to-head in next year’s election.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Channi – under attack from his own party colleagues as the divide within the ruling party grows – has called this “a direct attack on federalism”.