New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting in Bhuj, Gujarat, to review security and border-related issues concerning Gujarat’s border and coastal districts along the India-Pakistan Border (IPB).
The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), senior state government officials, and the District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) of Kutch, Vav-Tharad, and Patan districts.
The meeting focused on strengthening border management, addressing security challenges, threats, and emerging concerns in border areas along the India-Pakistan border. It also emphasized the active and effective role of the state government, particularly DMs and SPs, in ensuring security.
During the meeting, Amit Shah said that border fencing, maritime security, and the state government’s strong political resolve have brought significant transformation to Gujarat’s security landscape. He stated that infiltration into the state and cross-border smuggling have completely ceased.
He stressed adopting a zero-tolerance policy towards unauthorized encroachments within the 0–15 km belt along the international border and called for their removal. Shah also emphasized the need to maintain strict vigilance over centres of radicalization in border areas.
The Union Home Minister said District Magistrates must closely monitor and regularly report demographic changes in border districts. He welcomed reverse migration in border areas resulting from the establishment of industrial units.
Shah directed officials at all levels—from police stations to patwaris—to work in coordination to deport already-settled illegal infiltrators. He urged local administrations to formulate district-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address infiltration, drone-related threats, and narcotics smuggling.
He also called for the formation of Security Coordination Groups in every district, comprising the BSF, Coast Guard, Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Lead Bank Manager. Shah said the effective enforcement of Income Tax, anti-money laundering, and Customs laws should be ensured through coordination among DMs, SPs, and Inspector Generals (IGs) of Border Range.
Emphasizing financial surveillance, Shah called for strict monitoring of hawala transactions, mule accounts, shell companies, suspicious vehicles, and GST-related activities in border districts. He directed agencies dealing with financial crimes to remain alert regarding border-related activities and asked the Income Tax Department, in coordination with the RBI, to conduct extensive survey campaigns.
Highlighting coastal security concerns due to the proximity of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), Shah stressed close coordination with the Indian Coast Guard. He further directed that, alongside the Vibrant Villages initiative, 100 percent saturation of all Central and State government schemes must be ensured in border villages.
