Early Times Report
Jammu, May 29: Days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the demolition of illegal constructions along the Indo-Pakistan border, security and intelligence agencies have begun identifying such structures to initiate the demolition process at the earliest.
Highly placed sources said that intelligence agencies, in coordination with the local police and other civil departments, have launched a survey in the border districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua, which share the International Border with Pakistan. The identification drive is expected to begin in these districts in the first phase.
Sources further said that the Revenue Department will also be involved in identifying the land where illegal structures have been constructed all along the International Border.
As reported earlier, Amit Shah on Wednesday directed authorities to remove all illegal constructions, particularly those located within 15 kilometres of the International Border, while stressing the need for a comprehensive and coordinated security framework in border districts.
The directions were issued during a high-level security review meeting chaired by the Union Home Minister in Bikaner to assess the overall security situation and border management mechanisms in districts adjoining the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the Rajasthan Government, including the Chief Minister, top administrative and police officers, as well as District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from the border districts of Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Phalodi. Deliberations focused on strengthening border security through enhanced coordination between Central agencies and the State Government.
During the meeting, Shah underlined the need for a “360-degree security framework” for every border district to ensure effective monitoring and management of security challenges. He said the proposed integrated model would involve local residents, district administrations, security agencies and state authorities to create a robust multi-layered border management system.
Reiterating the Government’s zero-tolerance policy towards illegal activities in border areas, the Union Home Minister directed officials to identify and demolish all unauthorised constructions, especially those falling within the 0-15 kilometre belt along the International Border, as such structures could pose serious security risks.
Expressing concern over increasing challenges such as infiltration, narco-smuggling and cross-border crimes, Shah called for close coordination among the Border Security Force, Narcotics Control Bureau, Central Board of Direct Taxes and state agencies. He emphasised that seamless coordination among intelligence and enforcement agencies was crucial to curb terror financing, illegal encroachments, smuggling networks and other cross-border criminal activities. |
