The All Party Meeting convened by the Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday resolved to strongly oppose the Centre Government’s decision to extend the jurisdiction of BSF from 15 to 50 KM areas along the International border in the state constitutionally, legally and politically in order to restore the status quo that existed before the notification of October 11, 2021.
Earlier in his address, the Chief Minister said that the state government would soon convene a special session of Punjab Vidhan Sabha on this sensitive issue and recommend to the Governor to hold the session at the earliest besides the Government would also take a legal recourse by filing a petition in the Supreme Court against the decision taken by the Centre without taking the state’s consent which amounts to infringement of its constitutional rights and against the spirit of federalism.
Showing complete solidarity with the farmers on agitation at Delhi Borders to safeguard their interests, the Chief Minister also said all the three farm laws would be outrightly rejected in the forthcoming Session of State Assembly. After detailed deliberations with the representatives of political parties, it was decided to seek appointment from the Prime Minister so as to enable the Chief Minister to lead a delegation of all political parties to urge him to relook the decision and subsequently withdraw this contentious notification for extending the jurisdiction of BSF forthwith.
On the demand of the representatives of political parties, Channi also asked them to make use of their good offices to prevail upon the non-BJP governments and other regional parties especially in the states of West Bengal and Rajasthan adding the Chief Minister said he would also take up this issue with his counterparts to mount pressure on the Centre to roll back its decision which is a direct onslaught on the Centre-State relations.
Clearing the mist about the doubts raised by few leaders regarding his official meeting with Union Home Minister purportedly linking it with BSF’s notification, Channi said he met Amit Shah to pay a courtesy call which is the duty of every Chief Minister to meet the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister immediately after assuming the charge of office. He categorically said he raised the issue for re-opening of Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor so as to allow the devotees to pay their obeisance at the sacred place. He also requested Amit Shah to immediately repeal the farm laws for which the farmers of the country were on agitation for over past one year, Channi added.
According to an official spokesperson the representatives of all the political parties unanimously adopted resolution to oppose this issue tooth and nail, except the BJP which abstained from the meeting. The resolution reads, “Punjab is a land of martyrs and warriors. Punjabis have made unprecedented sacrifices in the country’s freedom struggle besides the wars of 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1999. The Punjabis have received the maximum gallantry awards in the country. Punjab police is the unparalleled patriotic force across the globe which has always immensely contributed to maintain the country’s integrity and sovereignty with its bravery and courage. To maintain the law and order is the responsibility of the State Government according to the Constitution and the Punjab government is fully competent for the same.