Srinagar, May 30 (KINS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a high-level security review meeting in Bhuj, Gujarat, to assess security preparedness and emerging challenges in border and coastal districts located along the India-Pakistan Border (IPB).
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Gujarat government, including the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and district administrations of Kutch, Vav-Tharad and Patan. Discussions focused on strengthening border management, addressing emerging threats, and enhancing coordination among various security and administrative agencies operating in border areas.
During the review, Shah said that extensive border fencing, strengthened maritime security measures and the state government’s strong political commitment have significantly improved Gujarat’s security environment. He noted that infiltration and cross-border smuggling activities have been effectively curbed and stressed the need for continued vigilance.
The Home Minister directed authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal encroachments within the 15-kilometre belt along the international border and ensure their removal. He also emphasized the importance of closely monitoring any centres of radicalization in border regions.
Highlighting demographic concerns, Shah instructed District Magistrates to regularly track and report demographic changes in border districts. He described reverse migration driven by industrial development in border areas as a positive trend and called for coordinated efforts from all levels of administration to identify and deport illegal infiltrators already settled in these regions.
He further directed local administrations to formulate district-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address challenges such as illegal infiltration, drone-related threats and narcotics smuggling.
To strengthen coordination among enforcement agencies, Shah proposed the formation of Security Coordination Groups in every border district. These groups will include representatives from the Border Security Force (BSF), Indian Coast Guard, Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Lead Bank Managers to ensure a comprehensive approach towards border security and financial crime prevention.
The Home Minister also stressed the need for strict monitoring of hawala transactions, mule accounts, shell companies, suspicious vehicles and GST-related irregularities in border districts. He directed financial crime-fighting agencies to work closely in border areas and suggested extensive survey campaigns by the Income Tax Department in coordination with the Reserve Bank of India.
Given Gujarat’s proximity to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), Shah underscored the importance of strengthening coastal security through close coordination with the Indian Coast Guard.
He also directed officials to ensure complete saturation of all Central and State government welfare schemes in border villages, alongside the implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme, aimed at boosting development and improving living conditions in strategically important frontier regions.(KINS)
