BHUJ, GUJARAT: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting on Saturday to rigorously assess border and coastal security framework along the sensitive India-Pakistan border. The comprehensive strategy session was attended by senior Gujarat state leadership, including the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), and district-level administrators from various border regions.
Addressing the leadership, Shah stated that robust border fencing, modernized maritime security measures, and a strong political resolve have completely transformed Gujarat’s security landscape. This integrated approach, he noted, has led to a total cessation of infiltration and cross-border smuggling. Moving forward, the Home Minister directed authorities to enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy against any unauthorized encroachments within a 15-km radius of the international border, while maintaining aggressive surveillance on centers of radicalization in proximity.
Combating Modern Threats and Infiltration The Home Minister instructed district administrations to meticulously monitor demographic changes in border pockets, while simultaneously welcoming the trend of reverse migration fueled by recent industrial development. To neutralize multi-layered security challenges, Shah called for highly coordinated efforts spanning from local police stations to ground-level patwaris to systematically identify and deport illegal infiltrators, alongside tackling cross-border threats related to drones and narcotics trafficking. Local administrations were also tasked with formulating district-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Crackdown on Financial Crimes In a major structural directive, Shah ordered the immediate formation of Security Coordination Groups in every border district. These groups will comprise specialized representatives from:
-
Border Security Force (BSF)
-
Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
-
Income Tax Department
-
Enforcement Directorate (ED)
-
Core Banking Sector
Shah emphasized that the legal responsibility for the effective enforcement of Income Tax compliance, anti-money laundering regulations, and Customs laws will rest squarely upon the respective District Magistrate (DM), Superintendent of Police (SP), and the Inspector General (IG) of the Border Range. Furthermore, he directed authorities to clamp down heavily on financial irregularities including hawala transactions, mule accounts, shell companies, suspicious vehicles, and GST fraud, mandating extensive survey drives by the Income Tax Department in tandem with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Concluding the high-level meet, the Home Minister reiterated the strategic necessity of fortifying Gujarat’s vast coastline through seamless coordination with the Indian Coast Guard. Additionally, he ordered officials to ensure 100% saturation of Central and state welfare schemes across border settlements under the government’s flagship Vibrant Villages initiative.
