BSF demands power to arrest,search

Pointing out that it was raised for the purpose of ensuring security of the borders and to promote a sense of security among the people living in border areas.....

Pointing out that it was raised for the purpose of ensuring security of the borders and to promote a sense of security among the people living in border areas,the Border Security Force (BSF) has asked the Central Government to give it powers that the police in India enjoy when deployed in areas other than the borders. It now wants to be armed with power to make arrests as well as conduct search and seizure operations.

It says that these powers are all the more necessary when it is used for election duty. In recent times,the BSF has been deployed in large numbers for election as well as internal security duty in J&K and the Northeast and anti-Naxalite operations. In J&K as well as the Northeastern states though,through two separate notifications,the BSF has been bestowed these powers. It now wants them for the entire country.

According to sources in the BSF,the Chief Law Officer of the organisation,H G Garg,has written to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) saying that the BSF finds it difficult to perform its duties for want of adequate police powers under the various provisions of the CrPC.

The letter goes on the say that many a times,in the absence of specific powers,the BSF finds itself at a disadvantage. Gargs letter also asks the MHA to issue the relevant notifications at the earliest.

Asked to explain the reason for the request,a senior BSF officer said whenever the force is deployed in non-border areas for election or internal security duties,the only step that its personnel can take to counter rampaging mobs or anti-social elements is to disperse them by use of force.

In cases where excessive force needs to be used,our personnel have to take shelter behind Section 96 of the Indian Penal Code,which pertains to right of private defence. But this cant be the case every time, the officer explained.

Sources in the MHA told The Indian Express that

the BSF request is under consideration.