Photo credit: ANI
NEW DELHI: Calling for a zero-tolerance approach towards unauthorised encroachments within 0-15 km of the international border, home minister Amit Shah on Friday said the local administration and police in border district should remove all such encroachments and keep a close vigil on centres of radicalisation within this border belt.Chairing a meeting in Bhuj to review the security of Gujarat’s land and coastal borders, Shah said that everyone, from the police station staff to patwari, should work in unison to ensure the deportation of already settled illegal infiltrators. He said that the local administrations should formulate standard operating procedures (SOPs) to counter specific challenges and requirements of each border district, and ensure the identification of existing infiltrators as well as the threat from drones and narcotics.Aimed at achieving a more robust and comprehensive border management, the meeting — attended by the Gujarat chief minister, deputy chief minister, chief secretary and DGP as well as the district magistrates (DMs) and superintendents of police (SPs) of border districts of Kutch, Vav-Tharad and Patan — focused on the challenges, threats, and emerging concerns in 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. In keeping with the nationwide focus on tackling illegal immigration and the “unnatural” demographic changes caused by it, particularly in border areas, the home minister asked the DMs to strictly monitor and regularly report on demographic changes occurring in border districts. Shah said security coordination groups should be formed for each district comprising officers of the BSF, Coast Guard, Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate (ED) as well as the lead bank manager. He said that the responsibility for effective enforcement of income tax, anti-money laundering, and customs laws should rest with the distirct magistrate, SP and inspector general, border range.The home minister emphasised on the need to maintain strict vigil over hawala transactions, financial dealings, mule accounts, shell companies, suspicious vehicles, and GST collections in border districts. Agencies combating financial crimes should be kept apprised regarding border areas, and that the income-tax department, in collaboration with the RBI, should conduct extensive survey campaigns there, he stated.Shah said that given the proximity of Gujarat coast 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 directed that, along the lines of the ‘Vibrant Villages’ initiative, 100% saturation of every scheme—both of the Central and state governments—must be ensured in the border villages.Talking specifically about Gujarat, Shah said the border fencing, maritime border security and the strong political will of the state govt has significantly transformed its security landscape, resulting in complete cessation of infiltration and smuggling. Shah stated that reverse migration happening in Gujarat’s border areas due to the establishment of industrial units is a welcome development.
