Shah likely to visit Bikaner to review border security

Jaisalmer: Union Home minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Bikaner on a two-day tour on May 25 and 26 amid rising incidents of smuggling of narcotics and weapons via drones across the Pakistan border in border sectors of Bikaner and Sriganganagar.In view of the proposed visit, the BSF, district administration and police department intensified preparations. Reports said the home minister was expected to inspect BSF border outposts and review development works underway in border areas.During the visit, he was also likely to hold a high-level meeting with collectors and SPs of Rajasthan's five border districts, along with other security and intelligence agencies.The visit was being seen as significant in view of rising cross-border smuggling from Pakistan, security challenges and border management.Rajasthan Chief Secretary V Srinivas held a review meeting with officials via video conference regarding preparations for the Union Home minister's proposed visit. Meanwhile, Bikaner Range IG Omprakash and SP Mridul Kachhawa were engaged in finalising security and logistical arrangements.Bikaner MP Arjun Ram Meghwal, while confirming the visit, said Shah will arrive in Bikaner May 25 evening and stay overnight. On May 26, he is likely to review security arrangements at BSF border outposts and is expected to participate in a meeting of security and intelligence officials of border districts at Bikaner headquarters to review security arrangements along the India-Pakistan border, along with holding a high-level meeting with the BSF.