BHUJ: Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in Bhuj to assess security challenges in Gujarat's border and coastal districts along the India-Pakistan border.
The meeting was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, senior state government officials, district magistrates and superintendents of police from Kutch, Vav-Tharad and Patan, along with security and administrative authorities.
Discussions unfolded around preparedness levels in coastal belts. Oversight extended to district units positioned at national margins. Strategic inputs came from field commanders present. Emphasis appeared on coordination between agencies operating there.
Assessment followed recent patterns in cross-border activity. Measures discussed aim to strengthen monitoring systems already in place.
It was noted that progress on border barriers has had measurable effects. Maritime safeguards have since been reinforced, contributing to broader stability along coastal regions. With these developments, unauthorised entries now occur at minimal levels. Smuggling across frontiers has sharply declined due to consistent enforcement measures taken by local authorities. Security conditions overall show marked improvement throughout Gujarat.
Across the 15 kms border zone, unlawful settlements are now met without exception by immediate enforcement measures, as ordered by the Home Minister. Surveillance operations, meanwhile, have intensified around locations where extremist influence could take root near frontier areas.
Not only did he urge district authorities to track population shifts near borders, but also to align efforts in detecting and removing unauthorised entrants.
With focus on localised threats, attention was placed on crafting tailored protocols by each administration.
Drone movements, drug smuggling, alongside unlawful movement of people shaped the concerns outlined. Specific procedures, adjusted per region, became a point of emphasis under his direction.
Across each border district, a new structure may take shape through Security Coordination Groups suggested by the Home minister. These units would bring together personnel from the Border Security Force alongside members of the Indian Coast Guard.
Representation extends to officials from the Income Tax Department along with counterparts in the Enforcement Directorate.
Financial oversight enters via participation from various banking institutions.
The aim emerges subtly - not through declaration but design - enhancing alignment among agencies without centralising control.
Alertness must increase, Shah emphasised, regarding hawala channels alongside mule accounts and phantom firms near frontiers. Oversight on odd monetary flows plus tax mismatches under GST should sharpen, especially where borders lie.
Cooperation between financial watchdogs and regional offices needs strengthening, he noted. Survey drives by the Income Tax authority along with RBI require broad reach, according to his remarks.