Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in Bhuj, Gujarat, on Saturday, focusing on border and coastal districts situated along the India-Pakistan Border.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, and other senior state officials, along with the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police of Kutch, Vav-Tharad, and Patan.

The discussions centred on strengthening border management and addressing challenges, threats, and emerging concerns in these sensitive areas. Amit Shah highlighted that border fencing, maritime border security, and the strong political will of the state government have transformed Gujarat’s security landscape, leading to the complete cessation of infiltration and smuggling across the border.

He reiterated the importance of adopting a zero-tolerance approach towards unauthorised encroachments within the 0–15 km belt along the international border, directing that such encroachments be eliminated.

He also stressed the need to monitor centres of radicalisation in border areas to prevent potential threats. District Magistrates were instructed to strictly monitor demographic changes in border districts and report them regularly. Shah noted that reverse migration, driven by the establishment of industrial units in border areas, is a positive development.

The Home Minister emphasised that coordinated efforts must be made at every level, from police stations to patwaris, to ensure the deportation of illegal infiltrators already settled in these districts. He directed local administrations to formulate Standard Operating Procedures tailored to the specific challenges of each border district, including identification of infiltrators and addressing threats related to drones and narcotics.

Amit Shah announced that Security Coordination Groups should be formed in every district, comprising the Border Security Force, Coast Guard, Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate, and the Lead Bank Manager. He assigned responsibility for enforcing Income Tax, anti-money laundering, and Customs laws to District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, and Inspectors General of the Border Range.

He further emphasised vigilance over hawala transactions, mule accounts, shell companies, suspicious vehicles, and GST collections in border districts. Agencies combating financial crimes were instructed to remain fully apprised of developments in border areas, while the Income Tax Department, in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India, was directed to conduct extensive survey campaigns.

Given Gujarat’s proximity to the International Maritime Boundary Line, Shah stressed the importance of prioritising coastal security and ensuring effective coordination with the Indian Coast Guard. He also directed that, alongside the Vibrant Villages initiative, 100% saturation of all Central and State government schemes must be achieved in border villages to strengthen governance and support local populations.

ANI