Jaisalmer: In the wake of a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Bikaner on May 26, the five border districts of Rajasthan have established district- and village-level committees to enhance security along the international border with Pakistan. The directives issued during the meeting instructed district collectors, superintendents of police, the Border Security Force (BSF), and other security agencies to strengthen arrangements in border areas and develop a district-specific 360-degree grid security system.
Survey of Illegal Constructions
District collectors have initiated an in-depth survey of unauthorized constructions and occupations within a radius of 0 to 50 kilometers from the international border. The committees are tasked with examining multiple parameters, including the location and nature of illegal structures, possible encroachments, and the sources of funding used for such activities. They will scrutinize excessive or suspicious bank transactions that may indicate illegal funding, including potential foreign links.
Jaisalmer District Initiatives
Jaisalmer District Collector Anupama Jorwal confirmed that a district-level committee was formed on Thursday, comprising officers from stakeholder departments and revenue officials. A rural-level committee has also been constituted, including the patwari, police personnel, the tehsildar from the colonization department, and other local officials. The teams commenced fieldwork on Friday, visiting sites, verifying documents, and checking the validity of claims related to any illegal occupation or construction.
Jorwal stated that a key focus of the campaign is to identify who commissioned the constructions and the origin of funds. The administration will seek support from the Intelligence Bureau, the BSF, and other agencies to determine whether any foreign assistance was involved and to identify individuals or networks behind the activity. She emphasized that the issue is highly sensitive from a national security perspective and that the survey report will be forwarded to the state government for further decisions.
Banking Data Scrutiny
Banking data is also being examined. Information is being collected from the State Bank of India (SBI) and other banks to detect unusual inflows or large transactions linked to constructions in the border belt, as well as abnormal activity in individual accounts. This is aimed at uncovering any financial irregularities that may support illegal activities.
Strengthening On-Ground Surveillance
To bolster on-ground surveillance, the district administration is developing a local information network involving patwaris, cattle herders, ex-servicemen, and Anganwadi workers. This network will enable quick reporting of suspicious activity or new encroachments, ensuring a rapid response to potential security threats.
Barmer District Actions
Barmer District Collector Chinmayi Gopal confirmed that similar committees have been formed in her district, and the survey began on Friday. She added that while the initial plan covered a 0- to 15-kilometer radius, the state government later expanded the scope to a 0- to 50-kilometer radius, reflecting a broader approach to securing the border region.
