Illegal Structures Within 15 Km of Borders to Be Demolished: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed authorities to enforce a strict “zero tolerance” policy against illegal constructions within 15 kilometres of India’s international borders and ordered the demolition of all such structures as part of a wider border security crackdown.

The directions were issued during a high-level security review meeting in Bikaner covering Rajasthan districts bordering Pakistan. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, senior officials, district magistrates and police chiefs from Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Phalodi attended the meeting.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, district administrations have been tasked with monitoring banking transactions , verifying major business establishments, tracking mule accounts , identifying fake Aadhaar cards , and curbing cross-border smuggling and terror financing.

Shah also ordered detailed studies into organised crime networks and the growing drug menace to develop long-term preventive measures. He said progress on the directives would be reviewed after two months.

During his visit to the Sanchu Border Outpost in Rajasthan’s Bikaner sector, Shah announced that advanced anti-drone systems would be installed along international borders within six months to counter drone-based smuggling of narcotics and weapons.

The Union minister called for a stronger “quadrangular security grid” involving the BSF, armed forces, civil administration and border residents to ensure “zero infiltration”. He also stressed vigilance against suspicious settlement patterns and “artificial demographic change” in border areas.

Shah further highlighted the Centre’s upcoming Smart Border Project , involving drones, radars, modern fencing and advanced surveillance technology along the Pakistan and Bangladesh borders.