Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday declared the Centre's resolve to end infiltration from the eastern border, which he described as a deliberate attempt to bring about unnatural demographic changes. Speaking at the Rustomji memorial lecture organized by the Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi, Shah directed the force to take responsibility for identifying infiltrators and their routes by collaborating with local administration and police. This collaboration aims to establish a structured mechanism to prevent illegal border crossings and expel those who have already infiltrated.
Smart Border Initiative
Shah highlighted that the BSF's border guarding capabilities would receive a technological boost in the coming year, marking the force's 60th anniversary. The transformation of the borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan into 'smart borders' will involve deploying advanced technology such as drones, radars, and smart cameras. These measures are intended to detect and counter infiltration, narcotics smuggling, cattle smuggling, the circulation of fake Indian currency, and drones ferrying arms and drugs.
Political Context and Directives
Noting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is in power in the border states of Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal, Shah emphasized the party's commitment to expelling every infiltrator from the country. He instructed the BSF to extend its duties beyond border guarding by maintaining open communication with village patwaris, police, district collectors, block development officers, and superintendents of police. This network would help gather details on newly infiltrated individuals, entry routes, and smuggling networks, enabling systematic closure of these routes.
Demography Mission and Naxalism
The minister informed BSF officials that the high-power demography mission announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi would soon commence operations, with its charter being finalized. Commending the BSF and other security forces for their role in eliminating Naxalism by the March 31, 2026 deadline, Shah recalled that many retired IPS officers had initially warned the PM and him that this task would be impossible. However, the government remained resolute, and forces including the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and various state police forces successfully uprooted the 50-year-old problem, making the country Naxal-free. He stressed that the security viewpoint cannot merely keep threats under control; problems must be eliminated at the root.
Operation Sindoor and Changing Approach
Shah praised the BSF for its successes in Operation Sindoor, stating that the era of responding to terror attacks with negotiations is over. The minister's remarks underscore a shift towards a more proactive and technologically advanced approach to border security and internal security challenges.
