Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi‘s meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah seems to have exacerbated the ongoing upheaval within the ruling Congress in the state. The Centre’s decision to extend the Border Security Force’s (BSF) jurisdiction in the state besides West Bengal and Assam came after Channi called for the sealing of international border with Pakistan to prevent narcotics and weapons trafficking into Punjab.

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According to an order issued by the Home Ministry, the BSF’s jurisdiction in West Bengal, Punjab and Assam has been extended from 15 km to 50 km within and along the international border.

Days after his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi faced considerable opposition from his own party members over the issue.

The home ministry order mentions that the BSF can arrest, search and make seizures within its jurisdiction. Such operations could possibly lead to a clash with the state police along the border in areas of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, including the Golden Temple, which lies 35 km from Pakistani border in Attari.

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“I strongly condemn the government’s unilateral decision to give additional powers to BSF within 50 km belt running along the international borders, which is a direct attack on the federalism. I urge the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to immediately roll back this irrational decision,” Channi tweeted.

Opposing the Centre’s move, Channi’s deputy and Punjab Home Minister Sukhjinder Randhawa said, “We condemn this decision. It is an infringement on the federal structure and will create an atmosphere of fear in Punjab. People will not tolerate this.”

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Former Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, however, targeted the chief minister over his meeting with Union Home Minister Shah.

Standing by the chief minister, Randhawa denied Jakhar’s allegations and commented, “He just appealed to check drug and arms supply across the border and seal it. Jakhar sahab and I are both residents of a border area; he should not have tweeted this.”

Meanwhile, Captain Amarinder Singh approved of the Centre’s decision and tweeted, “BSF’s enhanced presence and powers will only make us stronger. Let’s not drag central armed forces into politics.”

The Congress has been marred by factionalism in Punjab that last month led to Captain Amarinder Singh resignation as chief minister and Charanjit Singh Channi’s elevation to the top post.

The crisis deepened further when Captain Amarinder’s rival Navjot Singh Sidhu quit as the Punjab Congress chief, just four months before the state goes to Assembly polls.