HM Shah reviews border security in Seemanchal; all post-SIR deaths to be verified

NEW DELHI: A high-level meeting chaired by home minister Amit Shah in Purnea, Bihar on Friday to examine security-related concerns in border districts of the state, decided that all death cases reported after special intensive revision (SIR) will be thoroughly verified and matching deletions and updates carried out in all official records including aadhaar, driving licence and PAN databases etc, to ensure accuracy and prevent any misuse.A door-to-door survey will be undertaken to verify individuals reported as migrated but absent during verification, while ensuring that no genuine voter is erroneously deleted, Central govt sources told TOI.The review meeting examined -- attended by the district magistrates and superintendents of police of seven border districts of Seemanchal -- called for stricter border management, enhanced vigilance against illegal activities, and coordinated inter-agency action to address concerns such as illegal constructions near border areas, illegal migration, circulation of fake Indian currency notes (FICN), encroachment, and unauthorised financial flows. Shah, during the meeting, called for strict enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy against illegal constructions, particularly in forest and uninhabited areas, and ordered the immediate removal of encroachments in 'no man's land' adjoining the international border. District magistrates of border districts have been tasked with ensuring legal and financial compliance by all banks, including cooperative banks, within their jurisdictions. All banks have been directed to follow compliances issued by RBI, including reporting of cash transactions of high value and PAN linkage with bank accounts. Bihar chief secretary will review compliance, particularly concerning cooperative banks. Strict action will be taken against sub registrar offices (SROs) that fail to report or resort to defective reporting of high-value property transactions or violations involving cash transactions beyond prescribed norms. The Bihar govt will raise the issue in the state-level bankers' committee (SLBC) and take up with the RBI, the installation of note-sorting machines in all bank branches along the border, while also ensuring adequate banking penetration in border areas.The district magistrates have also been asked to verify major business establishments to ensure that sources of financing them are legitimate and not linked to unlawful activities. In cases of property purchases by suspicious elements, their funding sources, purchasing capacity, and PAN details will be thoroughly examined.