Navjot Kaur Sidhu,
former MLA and wife of Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, surprised the
state’s political observers when she went against the Congress party line on
the Centre’s extension of Border Security Force (BSF) jurisdiction in the
state. Navjot Kaur Sidhu was touring Amritsar East constituency when she was
asked if Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi had asked the Centre to
extend BSF jurisdiction in the state.

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“I don’t know if
CM Channi wrote the letter or not. There is a drug problem in Punjab and local
police couldn’t control it. It is the reason that the drug problem persists. So,
idea may come to mind of a person that drug problem can be curbed in
collaboration with BSF,” Navjot Kaur said.

She added that in
the border areas of Punjab there are people, including politicians, who smuggle
drugs into Pakistan. “Even there is gold smuggling. But it couldn’t be control…It
is always better that Centre and state work together, but the drug problem
should end in Punjab,” she said.

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Kaur said that the
matter should be discussed between state and Centre and there should be a
mutual decision. “If the purpose behind this is just to impose central rule in
the state, then it’s wrong. However, if the Centre’s aim is to stop drug trafficking
and drug-related issues, then it is a good step,” NDTV quoted Navjot Kaur as
saying.

Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s
comments add to Congress’ problems in Punjab which show no signs of easing.
Only recently, after long and arduous discussions, Navjot Singh Sidhu resumed
as the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief after he suddenly quit the
post earlier this month after disagreements with Chief Minister Charanjeet
Singh Channi.

The Union
government has recently increased the BSF’s jurisdiction in three states —
Punjab, West Bengal and Assam. While Punjab shares a border with Pakistan, West
Bengal and Assam share border with Bangladesh.

The Union Ministry
of Home Affairs extended the BSF jurisdiction granting forces powers to arrest,
search and seize to an additional extent of 50 km from the existing 15 km
distance from the border. The MHA has said that the order was prompted by
attempts to smuggle weapons into India.