Amit Shah Directs Awareness Camps to Combat Drug and Arms Threats at India-Bangladesh Border

Agartala, June 7: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has taken significant steps to curb the rising drug trafficking and illegal arms movement along the India-Bangladesh border. He has instructed the organization of special camps aimed at raising awareness and training local residents in border areas.

During a review meeting on border-related issues at the BSF Tripura Frontier headquarters near Agartala, Shah emphasized that border security is not solely the responsibility of security forces but a collective duty of the entire region. Therefore, increasing community participation is crucial.

Shah directed officials to establish specialized training and awareness camps for residents living along the India-Bangladesh border. These camps should ensure the presence of local revenue officials, police, and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel.

The Home Minister also instructed that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ CCTV model be implemented first in Tripura. He ordered the upgrading of all BSF cameras with modern technology and their integration with district administration to enhance surveillance capabilities.

Attendees of the meeting included Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, Director General of Police Anurag, and district magistrates and superintendents of police from all eight bordering districts. The discussion focused on improving coordination between state government and central agencies for comprehensive border management.

Amit Shah stated that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the central government prioritizes border security. He stressed that simply erecting fences is insufficient; a robust and impregnable border security system can only be established through local administration, smart technology, and coordination with the BSF.

The Home Minister called for ongoing campaigns against drug and arms trafficking and strict action against the entire network involved in these illegal activities. He also urged close monitoring of financial activities, suspicious transactions, construction of large buildings, and property dealings in bordering districts. Additionally, he instructed a review of land records from the past five years.

Furthermore, Amit Shah mentioned the need for special training for collectors and GST officials, as well as conducting surveys by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) to investigate counterfeit currency cases.