Amit Shah on Border Security: After the infiltration attempt by Chinese troops in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, the government has become cautious about security in other border states as well. States like West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Jharkhand are more prone to infiltration and smuggling.N
New Delhi: After the infiltration attempt by Chinese troops in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, the government has become cautious about security in other border states as well. States like West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Jharkhand are more prone to infiltration and smuggling.
That's why Union Home Minister Amit Shah held an important meeting with the Chief Ministers of these states on Saturday regarding border security. In the meeting of the Eastern Zone Council, he indicated to the Chief Ministers that the responsibility of security in the border areas of India lies with the Border Security Force (BSF) as well as the states. That's why there should not be negligence on the part of any state.
Illegal infiltration, cross-border smuggling and other issues related to the sensitive India-Bangladesh border were discussed at the 25th Eastern Zonal Council (EZC) meeting chaired by Shah at the West Bengal Secretariat here on Saturday, a senior official said. The official said that in the meeting of the 25th Eastern Zonal Council, talks were also held on transport facilities and water-sharing among the states.
The meeting was attended by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, her Jharkhand counterpart Hemant Soren, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav and Odisha cabinet minister Pradeep Amat. According to sources, its role was discussed earlier this year in view of the increase in the jurisdiction of the BSF. According to sources, it is believed that in response the Home Minister has indicated that the state governments also have a role in border security.
Maoists and Naxalites also keep an eye
The resurgence of Maoist activities in Jharkhand Odisha and Bengal was also discussed in the meeting. It was decided that the State and Central Governments will collect real-time information on Maoist activities in Red Zones to coordinate the steps to be taken to neutralize the Naxal activities.
The Chief Minister of West Bengal also highlighted that arms are being smuggled into Bengal from neighbouring states and coordinated steps are needed to curb this menace. Shah is the chairman of the council. He was accompanied by five officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the meeting. The meeting began at 11 am and lasted for a little over two hours. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Odisha's Naveen Patnaik did not attend Saturday's meeting. Later, Shah met the Bengal chief minister in her room on the 14th floor of the secretariat, the official said. The official said that the Union minister left for Shillong from here.