“All I can say is that an appropriate decision will be taken by the government in the larger interest of the country and the region, which is being discussed and BSF will implement it,” Bansal told reporters.
The 1974-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, who was the secretary (internal security) in the Union Home Ministry till Monday took over his new appointment to the BSF on Tuesday.
When asked whether the force has sufficient immunity and if it can work without the AFSPA, the senior officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre said, “AFSPA is to give cover to armed forces of the Union under some special circumstances. The BSF is also an armed force of the Union, hence it also gets covered under it”.
Bansal further added that the “BSF does not make policy. But BSF is in forefront of implementing (government) policies as regards to border guarding and border management.”
About 2.22 lakh strong, the BSF entrusted with security duties in Jammu and Kashmir along the border with Pakistan also guards the India-Bangladesh borders, and is involved in the anti-Maoist operations in the country.
Published 01 November 2011, 11:13 IST