Each infiltrator will be weeded out 'one by one': HM Amit Shah
New Delhi, May 22
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that the government has resolved not only to stop infiltration but also identify every single illegal person "one by one" and push them out of the country.
Delivering the K.F. Rustomji Lecture organised in memory of the founder and first Border Guard of BSF, HM Shah said the government would not allow any artificial alteration of demography and promised to hold a meeting with Chief Ministers of Tripura, Assam and West Bengal to strengthen the security grid in border states.
Calling the attempt to alter demography a "conspiracy", HM Shah said, "The BSF has to foil this conspiracy. And today, I can declare that in Tripura, Assam and West Bengal there are governments which support the principle that there should be no infiltration."
He said the BSF should not only guard the border but also build communication bridges with village patwari and police station, district collector and district superintendent of police to detect infiltrators, infiltration routes and cattle smuggling routes and plug them."
"It is BSF's responsibility to identify and stop these activities," he said.
The Home Minister said that very soon, a meeting of the Chief Ministers of these three border states will be convened in the Ministry to further strengthen the fight against infiltrators.
"The time has come that infiltration should also be put to an end," he said, citing the successful example of the eradication of Maoism.
"When we decided to eliminate Maoism, many officials warned us not to go ahead. But our brave jawans achieved the difficult task. Similarly, I am confident our jawans will also eliminate infiltration from its roots," he said, adding that a security problem needs to be struck at its roots rather than being ignored and allowed to exist for years.
He said to check infiltration, the Union government has increased the BSF's jurisdiction from 15 km up to 50 km from the border to arrest and conduct searches, and West Bengal has also started handing over land to the force for border fencing.
The event also featured the Border Security Force (BSF) Investiture Ceremony in which 43 BSF personnel were given awards.
On an earlier occasion, HM Shah had said that the journey of the BSF from 1965 to 2025 demonstrates how an organisation that began with limited resources in challenging circumstances has emerged as the world's largest and most prestigious border security force.
He said that BSF is the finest example of how patriotism can overcome all difficulties to achieve global excellence.
He had highlighted that the patriotism and dedication shown by BSF personnel in adverse conditions - be it temperatures above 45 degrees or extremely low, dense jungles, rugged mountains, or coastal areas - have earned the BSF the honour of being the first line of defence.
HM Shah added that a decision was made in the country to assign one force to secure each border, and based on the BSF's capability, it was entrusted with the responsibility of securing two of the most challenging borders, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate the Home Minister's clarity on this issue. Infiltration is a serious threat to national security and local livelihoods. However, I hope the process is humane and follows legal procedures – we don't want any innocent people caught in the net. The meeting with CMs of Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal is a good step towards coordination. 🙏
As someone who follows Indian security issues from abroad, this seems like a necessary move. The comparison to the elimination of Maoism is interesting – if they can replicate that success, it would be huge. But governing requires more than just tough talk; I hope the ground realities are managed with transparency. Also, kudos to the BSF personnel for their dedication in extreme conditions!
Good to see the government taking action, but I have a respectful concern – will this disproportionately affect certain communities? We need to distinguish between genuine infiltrators and those who have been living here for decades with documents. The focus should be on recent illegal entries. Still, a strong message to those who try to alter our demography through illegal means. 💪
As a resident of West Bengal, I've seen how porous borders have led to issues. The BSF deserves all the support – they work in extreme heat and cold, and now with increased jurisdiction, they can do their job better. The Home Minister's confidence is inspiring, but let's not forget that local police and administration also need to step up. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
A firm stance on border security is crucial for any nation. However
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.