Bikaner: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in Bikaner to assess and strengthen security arrangements along the India-Pakistan International Border, officials said on Wednesday.
The meeting, held on Tuesday, was attended by Bhajan Lal Sharma, senior state government officials, and the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Phalodi districts.
Focus on Border Security and Coordination
During the meeting, Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union government remains committed to ensuring the highest standards of security along the international borders.
He stressed the need for stronger coordination between central agencies and the state government to improve border management and maintain internal security.
A major decision taken during the meeting was the creation of a “360-degree security grid” for every border district.
The framework aims to ensure coordinated participation of local residents, state government machinery and all security agencies to build a more effective and comprehensive border management system.
Zero-Tolerance Policy and Enforcement Measures
The Union Home Minister directed officials to strictly enforce a zero-tolerance policy against illegal constructions and ordered the demolition of all unauthorised structures located within a 15-km radius of the International Border.
Highlighting the importance of inter-agency coordination, Shah said that the Border Security Force, Central Board of Direct Taxes, Narcotics Control Bureau and state government agencies must work closely together to curb infiltration, narcotics trafficking, encroachment, terror financing and other cross-border crimes.
Assigning enhanced responsibilities to District Magistrates, the Home Minister directed them to ensure legal and financial compliance by banks, verify major business establishments and examine their funding sources, monitor mule accounts and shell companies, identify fraudulent Aadhaar cards, and intensify action against smuggling networks.
He also instructed officials to effectively utilise the ‘1930’ cybercrime helpline for a prompt response to cyber-related offences and stressed the need for strong implementation of the country’s three new criminal laws to strengthen law enforcement and judicial processes.
Development Initiatives in Border Regions
Special emphasis was also laid on the successful implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) in border areas.
The initiative aims to strengthen grassroots governance, bridge infrastructure gaps, prevent economic crimes and ensure the holistic development of border villages.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of achieving 100 per cent saturation of all government schemes in border regions.
