Amit Shah chairs meeting on border-related issues in Gujarat'sBhuj, says zero-tolerance approach adopted towards all unauthorised encroachments
New Delhi, May 30
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a security review meeting in Gujarat's Bhuj, focusing on security-related issues concerning the border and coastal districts of Gujarat situated along the India-Pakistan Border.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, the Chief Secretary, DGP, Gujarat, along with other senior state government officials, as well as the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of Kutch, Vav-Tharad, and Patan were present in the meeting.
With a view to achieving more robust and comprehensive border management, the meeting focused on the challenges, threats, and emerging concerns in these border areas along the India-Pakistan Border, and emphasised the active and effective role of the state government, particularly the DMs and SPs, in this regard, a release said.
During the meeting, Shah said that border fencing, maritime border security, and the strong political will of the state government have brought about a significant transformation in Gujarat's security landscape. This has resulted in the complete cessation of infiltration into the state and smuggling on the border.
He emphasised that a zero-tolerance approach should be adopted towards all unauthorised encroachments within the 0-15 km belt along the international border, and efforts should be made to eliminate them. He also stressed the need to maintain a close watch on centres of radicalisation in border areas.
Amit Shah said that District Magistrates must strictly monitor and regularly report on demographic changes occurring in border districts. He stated that reverse migration happening in border areas due to the establishment of industrial units is a welcome development.
Shah said that everyone, from the police station to the patwari, should work in unison to ensure the deportation of already settled illegal infiltrators.
He said that the local administrations should formulate SOPs for specific challenges and requirements of each border district, to ensure identification of existing infiltrators and threats related to drones and narcotics.
Union Home Minister said that Security Coordination Groups should be formed in every district, comprising the BSF, Coast Guard, Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Lead Bank Manager.
He said that the responsibility for the effective enforcement of Income Tax, anti-money laundering, and Customs laws should rest with the District Magistrate (DM), Superintendent of Police (SP), and Inspector General (IG), Border Range.
Amit Shah emphasised the need to maintain strict vigil over hawala transactions, financial dealings, mule accounts, shell companies, suspicious vehicles, and GST collections in border districts.
He stated that agencies combating financial crimes should strictly be kept apprised regarding border areas, and that the Income Tax Department, in collaboration with the RBI, should conduct extensive survey campaigns.
Union Home Minister said that, given the proximity to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), there is a need to prioritise coastal security and ensure effective coordination with the Indian Coast Guard. He further directed that, alongside the 'Vibrant Villages' initiative, 100% saturation of every scheme, both of the Central and State governments, must be ensured in the border villages.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative but why only now? These issues have been there for decades. I appreciate the focus on drone threats and narco-smuggling—those are real problems. But patwari level corruption needs to be tackled too. Without that, no amount of meetings will fix things.
Finally! Someone is taking demographic change in border districts seriously. Reverse migration due to industry is a great sign—our border villages should be vibrant, not empty. And the coordination between BSF, Coast Guard, ED, and Income Tax is exactly what we need. Big thumbs up 👍
I am from Kutch and I can tell you, the situation has improved a lot in the last few years. But hawala transactions and shell companies are still a huge issue in border towns. The mention of mule accounts is spot on. Let's hope the DMs actually follow through with the surveys.
"Zero-tolerance" sounds good but what about the local communities living in that 0-15 km belt for generations? Are they being displaced? Need more clarity on how this will be implemented without hurting genuine villagers. Not everything is black and white.
Arrê bhai, this is exactly the kind of decisive leadership we need! 💪 Security coordination groups with ED and Income Tax—never seen that before. And the emphasis on coastal security near IMBL is crucial. Kutch has so many small creeks, drones can easily slip through. Make it happen.
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