“Border Security a Territorial Responsibility”: HM Amit Shah

• Amit Shah chairs high-level meeting on Tripura border security
• Directs creation of a foolproof border security grid
• MHA’s CCTV surveillance model to be implemented first in Tripura
• Calls for intensified action against drug, arms and fake currency networks

GG News Bureau
Agartala, 6th June: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting in Tripura to review issues related to border areas and directed officials to establish a comprehensive and foolproof border security grid integrating local administration, technology and security agencies.

The meeting, held at Salbagan in Tripura, was attended by Chief Minister Manik Saha, the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police from all eight border districts of the state.

Emphasising that border security is a collective territorial responsibility, Shah said it cannot remain solely the duty of security forces.

“Border security is not an isolated duty but a territorial responsibility,” he said, stressing the need for coordinated efforts involving District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, Patwaris, Sarpanches, modern technologies and the Border Security Force (BSF).

The Home Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India has accorded the highest priority to strengthening border areas and ensuring national security.

He underlined that fencing alone cannot guarantee security and called for a model of total territorial defence that combines local administration, smart technology and the BSF to create a secure and foolproof border management system.

To strengthen community participation, Shah directed authorities to organise training camps for residents living in border villages to help them identify and counter threats related to narcotics, arms smuggling and other illegal activities.

He instructed that Patwaris, local police personnel and BSF officials should actively participate in such awareness programmes.

The Home Minister also ordered the implementation of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ CCTV surveillance model in Tripura as a pilot initiative. He directed that all BSF cameras along the border be upgraded and integrated with district administration monitoring systems.

Shah called for frequent and coordinated operations against drug trafficking and illegal arms networks, stressing that authorities should adopt a “ruthless approach” against the entire chain involved in narcotics smuggling.

Highlighting the importance of financial vigilance in border regions, he said state governments also have a responsibility to ensure financial discipline in border districts.

He directed that district collectors and GST officials receive specialised training and instructed the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to conduct surveys relating to fake currency operations.

The Home Minister further called for close monitoring of financial transactions, large-scale construction activities and property transactions in border areas.

He directed officials to undertake a detailed examination of land records from the past five years to identify any irregularities or suspicious activities.

Officials said the meeting focused on strengthening coordination between central and state agencies to improve border management and security while supporting the development of border regions.

The Centre reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of security along international borders and enhancing cooperation between security agencies and civil administration to safeguard national interests.