Illegal constructions razed down in Rajasthan's Barmer within 15 km of Pakistan border
Jaipur, June 19
Acting under a 'zero tolerance' policy and following directions from the Union Home Ministry, a joint team of the district administration, police, and Border Security Force launched a major operation against alleged illegal constructions within 15 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan's Barmer district.
The action was carried out in border villages falling under the Gadra Road and Chauhatan subdivisions in Barmer district.
Authorities had earlier surveyed the structures and issued notices directing occupants to remove the alleged illegal constructions by June 18.
However, after the deadline passed without compliance, the district administration, police, and BSF initiated a joint demolition and removal drive on Thursday. The operation covered villages including Hamirani, Malana, Kerkori, Chauhatan, Bhalgaon, and Demba, where officials inspected and verified the legality of permanent structures. According to the administration, the exercise forms part of an intensified border security initiative aimed at identifying and removing unauthorised constructions in sensitive areas near the international border.
Officials said the action was undertaken in accordance with security directives and legal procedures, with prior notices served to affected parties. The administration maintains that the drive is focused on ensuring compliance with regulations in strategically important border zones.
However, the operation has sparked resentment among sections of the local community, with residents and public representatives questioning both the timing and manner of the action. Members of the affected community have termed the demolitions unfair and alleged that adequate consultation was not carried out before the drive was launched.
The issue has also triggered a political controversy. Ahead of the action, Congress in-charge and Baytu MLA Harish Chaudhary and Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Ummedaram Beniwal held a press conference opposing the move. They alleged that the operation was being carried out for political gain and warned against turning the sensitive border region into a political battleground.
"The border area should not become part of a political agenda. Such actions risk damaging the centuries-old social harmony and brotherhood that exists in the Thar region," the leaders said.
Congress representatives also met the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and formally objected to the drive. They argued that undertaking such a large-scale operation without meaningful dialogue with local residents and elected representatives was inappropriate.
It needs to be mentioned here that a comprehensive security blueprint has been devised and implemented following directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to completely dismantle cross-border networks involved in infiltration, drug smuggling, and other illegal activities aided by modern drone technology.
Under this plan, four Rajasthan border districts, namely, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar, have been designated as 'Special Watch Zones'.
The Border Security Force (BSF), district administration, local police, and central and state intelligence agencies will now function under a unified command structure.
The initiative aims to establish complete transparency, enhanced surveillance, and stringent security oversight of all activities within a 50-kilometre radius of the India-Pakistan border, ensuring swift detection and prevention of any suspicious or unlawful activity.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I understand the security concerns, but demolishing homes without proper rehabilitation plans is harsh. These families have lived there for generations, and suddenly they're labelled illegal overnight? The administration should have given more time and provided alternative housing if they really want to secure the border. A balanced approach would have been better than this heavy-handed action.
It's sad to see our own government treating border residents like this. These are the same people who have been the first line of defence for decades! They've survived wars, droughts, and everything else, and now they're being uprooted without proper dialogue. The timing just before elections seems suspicious. Need to maintain both security and human dignity.
As someone who works in security analysis, I can say this is the right approach but poorly executed. Creating a 'Special Watch Zone' with unified command is smart, but you need to win hearts and minds too. The border villagers are our eyes and ears - if we alienate them, we lose valuable intelligence. Hope the government relocates them properly and compensates fairly.
I'm all for national security, but this feels like political vendetta more than genuine border security. The Congress leaders raised valid points - centuries of social harmony in Thar shouldn't be destroyed for short-term political gains. Why not involve local representatives in the planning? The BSF and administration need to work with the people, not against them.
Good initiative to check illegal constructions near border. Security should be top priority. But the manner of execution matters too - prior notice was given, that's fair. However, the opposition's
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.