BSF imbroglio in Punjab

Gurbachan Jagat

RECENTLY, the MHA passed orders to the effect that the Border Security Force posted along the LoC in Punjab would have powers to search, seize and arrest up to a distance of 50 km from the border instead of the previous 15-km limit. While passing these orders, the main concern of the MHA, one would imagine, was obviously the security angle, especially in light of increased infiltration along the LoC, killings of civilians in J&K and increase in drone activities along the Punjab border. However, nothing specific has come to light in Punjab so far and at best this appears to be a precautionary measure, and also to heighten the threat perception in order to alert the people and the forces.

The Punjab government’s reaction has been unfavourable and it has demanded cancellation of this order. Even an all-party meeting, minus the BJP, passed a resolution demanding its recall. The reaction of the people in the border areas and elsewhere is negative but muted. Punjab is a small state geographically and the distance of 50 km covers almost half of it, including the cities of Amritsar, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Batala, etc. Amritsar is also a city blessed with the presence of Sri Darbar Sahib where lakhs of devotees from India and abroad come to pay obeisance. The unspoken fear is that the BSF would operate in this 50-km belt with impunity — even in the cities and towns. Given that this is an election year for the state, the perception is further heightened that Opposition parties will be targeted.

It is a fear arising because of the lack of consultation between the Centre and the Punjab government. There was no need to be so secretive and the state government could have been taken into confidence. Secondly, some more details could have been given as to how these orders would be implemented. Would it mean setting up of pickets or posts in the 50-km hinterland, or would it mean only increasing the powers of the present deployment? There cannot be much objection if the present BSF personnel exercise these powers on the basis of need in emergent situations and in coordination with Punjab Police. We have a strong presence of Punjab Police and police stations in close proximity to the border and they could be associated in these increased activities of the BSF. Even without this extension of jurisdiction, the BSF and Punjab Police have cooperated closely in sharing information and carrying out operations. Ultimately, it all depends on the interaction of the senior leadership and the resultant harmony at the ground level.

I’ve served in Punjab Police for a long time, including a four-year stint as Amritsar SSP, and I also had the privilege of being DG of BSF. Both as SSP and DG, I did not come across any instance of major disagreement. Senior officers met frequently and sorted things out. Both as DG of BSF and DG of J&K Police before that, I witnessed excellent cooperation at the border and inside J&K, where the BSF was deployed in the hinterland. If we could have been more open before these orders were passed, such apprehensions would not have arisen. Even now I would suggest that if either the Union Home Secretary or the DG of BSF could generally spell out the scope of these orders, it would end much of the speculation. It is a question of bolstering the confidence of the people in the belt.

Political parties have their own agenda and they would act accordingly. We have to ensure that the people are not harassed and can go about their business without fear, especially because there is no insurgency in the state, nor any major infiltration of men and arms from across the border as of now. Further, there could be regular meetings at the senior and local levels and real-time exchange of actionable intelligence. It is in this field that the local police play a major role. It is accepted by all of us who have served that the best actionable intelligence, whether in Punjab or J&K, came from the police because of their local connections and greater confidence of the people in them. If the police provide the intelligence and BSF the manpower, it would be a winning combination. This is why the SOGs became so popular with the Army and PMFs in J&K and Punjab. Even today, the SOGs continue to be the backbone of operations in J&K.

It should be remembered that we are a federal state and there is a clear division of areas of work. Law and order is a state subject. Before the creation of the BSF, it was Punjab Police which looked after the border in Punjab. With the raising of the BSF, the border up to 15 km came to be looked after by the BSF. Punjab set up a separate border range, which included the border police stations of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur districts. There has been close coordination between the BSF and Punjab Police and there appears to be no valid reason for the extension of jurisdiction of the BSF. Now the state and Central governments should work towards better coordination between the MHA, BSF and state authorities. On their part, the MHA should not spring more surprises — consulting always helps. For the time being, it is strongly suggested that the MHA and the BSF should spell out the contours of this order. The one thing that worries people is the likelihood of BSF posts in the hinterland and large-scale searches in the countryside and towns and cities. But the elucidation by the Central authorities on the orders and close liaison on the ground between the BSF and Punjab Police would result in a cordial working relationship. The Centre should take care not to be seen as encroaching on the rights of the states and especially a border state like Punjab, which has seen peace after a long time. In fact, the Centre should bestow greater developmental largesse on Punjab to undo the damage caused by the decades-long terrorism and the many wars.

Over the years and especially during the last few years, the Central agencies have been seen to be interfering increasingly on issues of crime and law and order in states. Consultation on most matters is not taking place, with the result that the states are often taken by surprise. There used to be a National Integration Council which met at least once a year under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, and was attended by all Chief Ministers. This was the forum where Centre-state relations were discussed, which resulted in better coordination. I have not heard recently of any meeting of this forum. If it is still in existence, it should be resuscitated and regular meetings should be held, even biennial meetings can be held as a lot of Centre-state issues are cropping up. Even otherwise, whenever an important decision is to be taken regarding states, prior consultations should be held.

This is most important in matters relating to the security of India, where we should all be on the same page. We are surrounded by threats along our vast borders. China disputes territories along the long mountainous border in the North and North-East, our perennially troublesome neighbour Pakistan continues to foment trouble by supporting terrorists and disputing territories and borders. Along our long coastline, we have a flood of smuggling and drug-related activities. The security of this nation sits on a knife’s edge, yet our politicians continue to quibble and develop fault lines in our society. It has been the close coordination between the Centre and state forces which has enabled us to keep the terrorists at bay. A large nation with a billion-plus people needs a strong modern security apparatus governed by national and local needs, and not the whims and fancies of political parties given to partisan thoughts. Needless to say, history clearly shows that we were easy pickings for the marauders while we were divided. India, rather Indian leadership, needs to look beyond personal politics and fiefdoms and put the Nation first — that’s easier said than done, given that there is a relationship of conflict between the Centre and the Opposition-ruled states and the country seems to be getting divided along communal and caste lines. This is a battle we cannot afford to lose. Generations will rue this moment in history if our leadership does not rise to the challenge and forges a common front against the enemies on our borders.

— The writer is ex-chairman of UPSC, former Manipur Governor and served as J&K DGP

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