After Punjab government’s objection to Union government’s decision to extend the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF) in Punjab along with the international border, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and AAP on Thursday also condemmened the centre’s decision.
SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal courted arrest along with senior party leaders and workers after a prolonged sit-in close to a barricaded Raj Bhawan against this decision. SAD President was taken in a bus along with senior leaders and workers to the sector-3 police station.
Earlier while addressing a gathering when stopped from proceeding to the Raj Bhawan by barricading, Sukhbir Badal said this was the second time that the Centre had impinged on the rights of Punjab in quick succession. “The centre has discriminated against the farmers of the State by bringing in the three farm laws. Now it is effectively taking control over law and order over half of the State by extending the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF).”
Terming the move as an attack on the federal structure of the State, Badal said now even our holy shrines like Sri Darbar Sahab, Durgiana Mandir and Ram Tirath will come under control of central forces.
The SAD President said it was condemnable that neither the chief minister nor Home minister Sukhjinder Randhawa had mounted an effective opposition to the new measure. Former minister Bikram Singh Majithia said the new central move had reminded people of the dark days of militancy while the central forces held full sway in the State.
He said that Deputy Chief minister Sukhjinder Randhawa had as Jails minister supported this measure by stating that the control of jails should be given to the CRPF. He said now the situation was such that even the Home Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa’s village had come under control of central forces.