Bhuj, May 30 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday directed authorities in Gujarat’s border districts to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards unauthorised encroachments, strengthen action against illegal infiltration and financial crime networks, and closely monitor demographic changes, which he described as the most serious challenge facing border regions.

Shah was chairing a high-level security review meeting in Bhuj on issues concerning Gujarat’s border and coastal districts along the India-Pakistan Border.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Das, and Director General of Police K.L.N. Rao, as well as other senior government officials and the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of Kutch, Vav-Tharad, and Patan.

The review focused on challenges, threats, and emerging concerns in border areas and examined the role of the state government, particularly district administrations and police authorities, in strengthening border management.

Addressing the meeting, Shah said, “Border fencing, maritime border security and the strong political will of the state government have brought about a significant transformation in Gujarat’s security landscape,” adding that these measures had resulted in “the complete cessation of infiltration in the state and smuggling on the border”.

He directed officials to remove all unauthorised encroachments within the 0-15 kilometre belt along the international border and said a “zero-tolerance approach” should be adopted towards such activities.

Shah also instructed authorities to maintain a close watch on centres of radicalisation operating in border regions.

Highlighting concerns over demographic shifts, the Home Minister said, “Demographic changes in border districts pose the most serious challenge,” and asked District Magistrates to ensure strict monitoring and regular reporting of such developments.

At the same time, he described the reverse migration being witnessed in some border areas due to the establishment of industrial units as “a welcome development”.

Shah said all levels of the administration must work together to identify and remove illegal infiltrators already settled in the region.

“Everyone, from police station to patwari, should work in unison to ensure deportation of already settled illegal infiltrators,” he said.

He also directed local administrations to prepare district-specific standard operating procedures to address unique local challenges.

These SOPs, he said, should focus on identifying existing infiltrators and dealing with emerging threats linked to drones and narcotics trafficking.

Calling for greater inter-agency coordination, Shah instructed authorities to establish Security Coordination Groups in every district.

These groups will include representatives from the Border Security Force, the Indian Coast Guard, the Income Tax Department, the Enforcement Directorate, and the Lead Bank Manager.

The Home Minister emphasised the need for stringent monitoring of hawala transactions, suspicious financial dealings, mule bank accounts, shell companies, suspicious vehicle movements, and GST-related activities in border districts.

“Strict vigil must be maintained in border districts for hawala transactions, financial dealings, mule accounts, shell companies, suspicious vehicles and GST collections,” he said.

He further directed that agencies dealing with financial crimes should be kept fully informed about developments in border areas and said the Income Tax Department, in coordination with the Reserve Bank of India, should undertake extensive survey campaigns.

Shah said responsibility for the effective enforcement of laws relating to Income Tax, anti-money laundering, and Customs should rest with the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, and Inspector General of the Border Range.

Referring to Gujarat’s long coastline and proximity to the International Maritime Boundary Line with Pakistan, Shah stressed that coastal security must remain a priority and called for effective coordination with the Indian Coast Guard.

He also instructed officials to ensure that every border village receives the full benefits of both the Central and State Government welfare programmes.

Alongside the implementation of the ‘Vibrant Villages’ initiative, he said, authorities should ensure “100 per cent saturation of every scheme” in border villages.

The meeting formed part of the Centre’s efforts to strengthen comprehensive border management and address evolving security, demographic, financial, and maritime challenges along India’s western frontier.

–IANS

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