Demographic shift in border districts biggest threat: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has termed the demographic changes in border districts as “the most serious challenge” before the country, and called for strict monitoring and reporting of these developments.

Shah, who chaired a security review meeting at Bhuj in Gujarat’s Kutch district, located along the India-Pakistan border, also stated that administrations of border districts should formulate SOPs to ensure identification of existing infiltrators and the tracking of threats related to drones and narcotics, said an official release.

Demographic changes in the border districts pose the most serious challenge, and district magistrates should ensure strict monitoring and regular reporting of such developments, Shah was quoted as saying in the release issued on Saturday.

Notably, earlier this week, the Union home minister announced the formation of a high-level committee to assess demographic changes across India due to “illegal immigration and other unnatural causes” and suggest measures to deal with the issue.

At the review meeting, Shah emphasised the need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards unauthorised encroachment within the 0 to 15 km belt along the international border and to maintain a close watch on centres of radicalisation in border areas.

Shah called reverse migration happening in border areas due to the establishment of industrial units a welcome development and said that everyone, from police stations to patwaris (village revenue officials), should work in unison to ensure deportation of the existing illegal infiltrators.

He also called for the need to form Security Coordination Groups in every such district, comprising the BSF, Coast Guard, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the managers of leading banks in the area.

The responsibility for the effective enforcement of Income Tax, anti-money laundering and Customs laws should rest with the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police and Inspector General (IG), Border Range, said the Union minister.

He also highlighted the need to maintain strict vigil over hawala transactions, financial dealings, mule accounts, shell companies, suspicious vehicles and GST collections in border districts.

Agencies dealing with financial crimes must be kept apprised regarding border areas, and the Income Tax Department, in collaboration with the RBI, should conduct extensive survey campaigns, Shah said. He also called for the need to prioritise coastal security and ensure effective coordination with the Indian Coast Guard, given Kutch’s proximity to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Alongside the ‘Vibrant Villages’ initiative, 100 per cent saturation of every scheme, both of the Central and State Government, must be ensured in border villages, Shah said.

Border fencing, maritime border security and strong political will of the State Government have brought about a significant transformation in Gujarat’s security landscape, resulting in the complete cessation of infiltration and smuggling on the border, he noted.