India – New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed authorities to adopt a “zero tolerance” approach against illegal constructions within 15 km of India’s international borders, instructing officials to identify and demolish structures built over the years in violation of regulations.
Chairing a high-level security review meeting in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on Tuesday, Shah reviewed border security arrangements along the India-Pakistan frontier and assessed challenges faced by border districts in the state.
The meeting was attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, senior state officials, and district magistrates and superintendents of police from five border districts — Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Phalodi.
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shah emphasized the need for strict enforcement of laws governing border regions, including action against illegal constructions, financial irregularities, smuggling networks, and other cross-border criminal activities.
The Home Minister also directed district administrations to closely monitor banking transactions in border areas, verify large commercial establishments, examine funding sources, track suspicious accounts and shell companies, and identify cases involving fake identity documents such as Aadhaar cards.
Officials said enhanced responsibility has been assigned to district magistrates to strengthen financial oversight and ensure compliance by banks and businesses operating in sensitive border regions.
Shah called for a “360-degree security cover” for border districts, involving coordinated efforts between central agencies, state authorities, and security forces. He also stressed greater integration among agencies such as the Border Security Force (BSF), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and tax authorities to tackle issues including infiltration, drug trafficking, smuggling, and terror financing.
The ministry statement added that border districts have been instructed to conduct detailed studies on crime patterns, drug networks, and illegal economic activities, with an emphasis on developing long-term solutions to prevent recurrence.
As part of broader development and security planning, Shah highlighted the importance of the Centre’s Vibrant Villages Programme, aimed at improving infrastructure and governance in border villages and reducing vulnerabilities in remote areas.
He also directed officials to ensure full saturation of government welfare schemes in border regions and promote better utilization of the national cybercrime helpline ‘1930’ to address rising digital fraud cases.
The Home Minister said a follow-up review of the measures would be conducted in two months, urging district administrations to ensure “result-oriented action” on all directives.
The meeting underscores the government’s continued focus on strengthening border security infrastructure and tightening administrative oversight in strategically sensitive regions.
