Union Home Minister Amit Shah has instructed authorities to conduct awareness and training camps for residents along the India-Bangladesh border to address the rising challenges of narcotics trafficking and illegal arms. Shah stressed the importance of public involvement in enhancing border security and curbing cross-border crimes, especially drug smuggling and illegal weapons movement. The directive came during a meeting chaired by Shah at the BSF Tripura Frontier headquarters in Shalbagan, near Agartala, focusing on border issues in Tripura.
Shah emphasized the need to organize camps to equip border residents with skills to combat the threats posed by narcotics and arms. He also mandated the presence of grassroots-level government revenue officials, local police, and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in these camps. Additionally, Shah called for the implementation of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ CCTV model in Tripura and upgrading every BSF camera to connect with the district administration.
The meeting, attended by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, State Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, State Director General of Police Anurag, and other senior officials, aimed at enhancing comprehensive border management with better coordination among state government bodies. Shah highlighted that border security is a collective responsibility involving various stakeholders, including District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, grassroots officials, and modern technologies, alongside the BSF.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Union government is prioritizing strengthening border security across all regions. Shah underlined the importance of a holistic approach to territorial defense, encompassing local administration, smart technology, and the BSF, to ensure a robust and secure border grid. He emphasized the need for stringent actions against drug and arms trafficking, targeting all contributors to the illicit trade with a firm stance.
Shah also stressed the significance of maintaining financial discipline in border districts, directing training for Collectors and GST officials, and ordering a survey by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on counterfeit currency. He called for heightened vigilance on financial transactions, property dealings, and construction activities along the borders, advocating for a thorough examination of land records to ensure security measures.
