Extending BSF's jurisdiction will help to stop cross border crime, said former Inspector General. (File)
The matters related to internal security should not be politicised and should be dealt with better coordination, said former Inspector General of the Border Security Force (BSF), BN Sharma.
On Tuesday, the Union Home Ministry has enhanced the powers of the Border Security Force to "arrest, search and seize" within 50 km from the international boundary in Assam, West Bengal and Punjab.
Speaking to ANI, the former BSF Inspector General said, "Internal security is the topmost priority and BSF is a professional force in guarding the borders. Extending BSF's jurisdiction to 50 km from borders in Punjab and Bengal will help to stop drug and arms smuggling."
"BSF always coordinates with local police in any operations. New powers to BSF will help them to act fast to stop smuggling or cross border crime. It is a matter of internal security and it should not be politicized," he added.
"BSF is mandated to check cross border crime. And the situation on the western border is different as compared to the Eastern side. We know how Punjab was affected during militancy for almost ten years and attempts are being made from across the border to smuggle arms and drugs into the Indian territory in Punjab. In the present scenario, smugglers are attempting to sneak into Indian terrorism," continued Mr Sharma.
"In border security, the situation changes in terms of connectivity and mobility. Extending BSF's jurisdiction will help to stop cross border crime. It will help to act swiftly in case of any cross border crime," said the former Inspector General.
Law and order and other issues are the domain of local police or state police, BSF is a border guarding force and it will act only in case of any cross border crime, he emphasised.
"We should see or judge the developments only in terms of internal security and the move should be welcome by everyone. It will further improve security in borders," added Mr Sharma.