Shah discusses strategy to curb infiltration and drug trafficking in Seemanchal

Patna: A comprehensive strategy to tackle infiltration, curb cross-border drug trafficking and strengthen internal security in Bihar’s Seemanchal region was discussed at a meeting chaired by Union home minister Amit Shah in Purnia on Friday. The meeting also focused on removing encroachments within a 10km radius of the border areas and boosting development and security of border villages under the Centre’s Vibrant Villages programme.

The meeting, held on the third and final day of Shah’s Seemanchal visit, was attended by senior state and central officials before he (Shah) left for Delhi.

Returning to Patna after the meeting, deputy CM and state home minister Samrat Choudhary said infiltrators would be expelled. “The govt policy is very clear in this regard. No one can play with the security of the country and every infiltrator has to be removed from the country and Bihar as well,” he said.

Sources said the deliberations centred on evolving a coordinated action plan to address infiltration in the Seemanchal belt bordering Nepal and Bangladesh. Officials also worked out measures to check drug trafficking across the open border and enhance vigilance in sensitive districts.

According to sources, the local administration in each Seemanchal district will prepare a detailed report, supported by photographs, identifying illegal constructions and sensitive border locations.

Claims of infiltration by Bangladeshis and Rohingyas have been made repeatedly in recent years with the govt maintaining that demographic changes have contributed to the situation. On Thursday, Shah had said that the BJP, after winning the West Bengal assembly election, would weed out infiltrators from Seemanchal as well as the country.

The Seemanchal region — comprising Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj and Katihar districts — lies close to the Bangladesh border and is considered the gateway to the strategic Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the ‘Chicken Neck Corridor’. The narrow stretch connects the seven northeastern states with the rest of the country. Security agencies have expressed concerns that anti-national elements could attempt to disrupt this crucial route in an effort to isolate the northeast and threaten national security.

The meeting, which lasted around two-and-a-half hours, was attended by Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai, chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit, director general of police Vinay Kumar, and senior officials from the Union home department, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Narcotics Control Bureau and the Intelligence Bureau.