The Central force has been accused of harassing villagers, indulging in activities like cattle smuggling and failing to arrest any significant smuggler, terrorist, spy or anti-national element in the recent past.

An official announcement said the state Cabinet took the decision on Tuesday following complaints from the people’s representatives. The powers were given to the SSB on the Centre’s request in October 2007.

SSB Director General Gopal Sharma said he has so far not received the copy of the state government’s decision. Asked about the state government’s allegations against the SSB, he said: “I would like to see the order first.”

Another officer, however, said: “If there was any problem, the government should have spoken to the top officials before taking such an extreme decision.”

Originally, the SSB had the power to conduct arrests, searches and seizures within five km of the border. The Centre had asked the state govenrment to extend these powers to another 15 km to facilitate smooth operations against undesirable elements. After Tuesday’s decision, the SSB can now operate only within the original five-km limit.

Sources in the SSB said that not only UP, state governments in Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Uttarakhand have also extended the reach of the force beyond the five-km limit.

The state government’s decision comes close on the heels of the recovery of about Rs two crore fake currency from the chest of the State Bank of India branch in Dumariyaganj in Siddarthnagar district, bordering Nepal.

The bank cashier had replaced genuine currency with fake notes in the chest. Those arrested have told the police that they received the fake currency notes from Nepal.

Waris Ali, BSP MLA from Nanapara in Behraich district, who had written a letter to Chief Minister Mayawati requesting her to withdraw the powers from the SSB, expressed happiness over the decision. He said: “I have informed the chief minister how SSB jawans are harassing people when the force’s role was to keep a vigil on the border.”

Seven districts of Uttar Pradesh share a 640-km long border with Nepal. These include Behraich, Shrawasti, Siddarthnagar, Balrampur, Maharajganj, Pilibhit and Kheri.