Monitor demographic changes: Shah to DMs; orders special groups

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has mandated district magistrates (DMs) to closely monitor and report demographic shifts occurring in India's border districts. This directive, issued following a security review meeting with state officials and border security forces in Gujarat, also includes the establishment of Security Coordination Groups in every border district.

These newly formed groups will comprise officials from the Border Security Force (BSF), Coast Guard, Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate, and leading local bank managers. Their mandate includes identifying existing infiltrators and tracking threats related to drones and narcotics. Shah emphasized that the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police, and Inspector General of the Border Range will be responsible for the effective enforcement of Income Tax, anti-money laundering, and Customs laws in these sensitive areas.

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The HM said that in the border districts, the effective enforcement of Income Tax, anti-money laundering, and Customs laws should rest with the District Magistrate (DM), Superintendent of Police (SP) and Inspector General (IG), Border Range.

The move comes shortly after Shah announced the formation of a high-level committee to assess demographic changes across India, particularly those attributed to illegal immigration. This committee is tasked with suggesting measures to address the issue. Shah's current tour along the India-Pakistan border includes interactions with BSF personnel and security review meetings. He is also expected to visit West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura to discuss efforts to tackle infiltration and counter attempts to alter the demographic composition along the eastern frontier.

Shah also stressed the importance of removing illegal encroachments within 15 km of the international border, noting their prevalence along the Indo-Bangladesh border. He previously spoke about transitioning from a traditional border security concept to a "territorial security" framework, integrating public, civil administration, local police, military, and BSF into a unified security grid.

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District Magistrates must strictly monitor and regularly report on demographic changes occurring in border districts.