Amit Shah Orders Crackdown on Illegal Constructions Near India-Pakistan Border
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed authorities to strictly enforce a “zero tolerance” policy against illegal constructions within 15 kilometres of India’s borders. He instructed officials to identify and demolish all unauthorized structures that have emerged over the years in sensitive border zones.
The directive was issued during a high-level security review meeting held in Bikaner on Tuesday, focusing on the security situation in Rajasthan’s border districts adjoining Pakistan.
District Magistrates Given Expanded Responsibilities
The Ministry of Home Affairs has assigned enhanced responsibilities to district magistrates in border areas to strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. Officials said district administrations will now ensure legal and financial compliance in banking transactions and closely examine suspicious activities.
Authorities have been instructed to:
Verify large business establishments operating in border districts
Investigate funding sources of suspicious entities
Monitor mule bank accounts and shell companies
Identify fake Aadhaar cards
Strengthen efforts to curb cross-border smuggling
The move is aimed at tightening internal security and preventing illegal financial networks from operating in vulnerable regions.
High-Level Security Review in Rajasthan
The meeting was attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, senior state officials, district magistrates and superintendents of police from five border districts, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Phalodi.
According to officials, the discussions focused on strengthening border security, tackling organized crime and improving coordination among multiple agencies.
Focus on Drug Networks and Economic Crimes
The Home Ministry stated that border districts have been directed to conduct detailed studies on the sources, operational patterns and networks involved in crimes and the growing drug menace.
Authorities have been asked to develop long-term solutions to ensure that such criminal activities do not re-emerge in the future.
Shah also emphasized the need for a “360-degree security framework” for every border district by integrating citizens, state administration and security agencies into a coordinated security mechanism.
Coordination Among Central Agencies
The Home Minister stressed the importance of joint operations and coordination between agencies including the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and state authorities.
The coordinated strategy will focus on:
Preventing infiltration
Controlling narcotics smuggling
Removing illegal encroachments
Tracking terror financing
Combating trans-border crimes
Push for Vibrant Villages Programme-II
The ministry also highlighted the importance of effectively implementing the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)-II initiative to strengthen governance in remote border villages.
Officials said the programme aims to improve infrastructure, address economic crimes, bridge development gaps and support communities living in border regions.
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