Union Home Minister Amit Shah has warned that demographic shifts in India’s border areas are not occurring randomly, but are part of a “calculated scheme” that endangers national security. He called on district magistrates, chief secretaries of border states, and paramilitary forces to take decisive measures against illegal encroachments, particularly within a 30-kilometre area of the nation’s borders.
Shah delivered these comments on Tuesday (August 26) during the opening of a two-day workshop on the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) in New Delhi. The event, hosted by the Border Management Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, saw attendance from senior officials, security leaders, district magistrates, and intelligence personnel.
“Changes in demographics within border regions directly affect the nation’s security and its frontiers.” “This should not be viewed as happening because of geographic factors; instead, it is the result of intentional planning,” Shah remarked, emphasizing the importance of staying alert.
He cited examples of unlawful religious intrusions in delicate regions and commended Gujarat for effectively removing these encroachments from both its land and coastal boundaries.
The minister likewise reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address, which expressed comparable worries regarding changing demographics. Shah stated that personnel operating in border districts under the VVP need to tackle the matter with seriousness and promptness.
Concurrently, Shah emphasized the developmental objectives of the Vibrant Village Programme. Implemented gradually, the initiative seeks to offer vital services in border communities and guarantee that government welfare programs benefit the locals. “The goal is to enhance the living standards of individuals in border communities while simultaneously bolstering national security,” he stated.
By implementing enhanced security protocols alongside improved infrastructure, the government aims to ensure that border areas are secure and prosperous for local residents.
