Demolish All Illegal Structures Within 15 Km Of International Border: HM Shah

New Delhi, May 27: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed authorities to demolish all illegal constructions within 15 km of the country’s international borders and enforce a strict “zero tolerance” policy against such encroachments.

Chairing a security review meeting in Bikaner on Tuesday, Shah reviewed security-related issues concerning Rajasthan’s border districts along the India-Pakistan border.

According to officials, the Ministry of Home Affairs has assigned enhanced responsibilities to district magistrates to ensure legal and financial scrutiny of banking transactions in border areas, verify large business establishments, examine funding sources, track mule accounts and fake companies, identify forged Aadhaar cards and curb cross-border smuggling.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, senior state officials, and district magistrates and superintendents of police from Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Phalodi attended the meeting.

In a statement, the Home Ministry said border districts have been directed to conduct an in-depth study of the sources, networks and patterns behind crimes and drug trafficking and devise long-term solutions to prevent their recurrence.

Shah stressed the need for a “360-degree security cover” for border districts involving citizens, state authorities and security agencies.

Officials said the Home Minister specifically called for strict implementation of the zero-tolerance policy against illegal constructions, particularly within 0-15 km of international borders, and directed authorities to remove all such structures.

He also emphasised coordinated border management involving the BSF, CBDT, NCB and state agencies to tackle infiltration, narcotics smuggling, encroachment, terror financing and other trans-border crimes.

The ministry further said emphasis was laid on effective implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)-II to strengthen governance in border areas, bridge infrastructure gaps, curb economic offences and support local populations.

Shah also directed officials to ensure full saturation of government welfare schemes in border villages and called for effective utilisation of the ‘1930’ helpline to combat cybercrime.

“A review and feedback on these issues will be undertaken again after two months; therefore, the districts will have to ensure result-oriented action,” the ministry statement said. (Agencies)