Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today inaugurated two border outposts in Bhuj, Gujarat, and interacted with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Bhupendra Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi, the Union Home Secretary, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), the Secretary of Border Management, the Director General of the BSF and several senior officials were present on this occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that BSF personnel live in extremely harsh climatic and difficult geographical conditions, however, upon visiting this place and seeing them standing guard at India's borders with smiling faces, one feels that, in comparison, our own work is quite simple. Union Home Minister asserted that if the BSF personnel do not tire, then we have absolutely no right to feel weary.

Shri Amit Shah said that, over the 60 years since its inception, the BSF has shouldered the responsibility of securing the country's two most challenging borders. He added that BSF personnel deployed along these borders have to face every conceivable condition, enduring temperatures ranging from -45 degrees to +45 degrees. In some regions, there lies the rugged desert of Kutch and the marshlands of Sir Creek and Harami Nala; elsewhere, BSF personnel are required to perform their duties while deployed amidst the sand dunes of Rajasthan, enduring temperatures soaring. Shri Shah added that—spanning from the icy peaks of Kashmir and the forests of the Sundarbans to the shores of Gangasagar, and extending to the hilly and forested terrains of Meghalaya and Assam—the BSF has, over the past six decades, admirably fulfilled its responsibility as the "First Line of Defence." Two thousand personnel of the Force have made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. It is for this very reason that the Government of India and the country's 1.4 billion citizens hold the BSF in high esteem and are able to sleep in peace.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah stated that a center has been established in Banaskantha, with the aim of enabling the general public to gain insight into the arduous duties performed by BSF personnel. He noted that over the past month alone, more than 2.50 lakh people have visited this center to learn about and understand the nature of BSF duties. Shri Shah mentioned that, initially, a survey was conducted using feedback forms to solicit the public's views regarding the BSF's work. At that time, many women wrote that they would feel immense pride if their sons and daughters were to join the BSF upon growing up. Living such a demanding life for the sake of the nation is, indeed, a monumental undertaking. The feedback form has now been made available online for the citizens of the country.

Shri Amit Shah said that upon assuming office as the Union Home Minister, a review of the BSF revealed that the Harami Nala and Sir Creek region lagged somewhat behind in terms of security preparedness. The Home Minister noted that a comprehensive action plan was formulated to establish a 'leak-proof' security grid in every respect—initiating work on watchtowers, connecting roads, drinking water supply, medical facilities, accommodation arrangements, and new fencing. He added that within the next two years, this region of ours will be permanently secured against the malicious gaze of the enemy.

Union Home Minister said that BSF personnel stand firm as a rock in the Sir Creek and Bhuj sectors, ensuring the complete safety of the people of Bhuj. He stated that they would provide such facilities as to ensure that the soldiers face minimal hardship. To this end, the Modi government is working day and night. He further added that budgetary constraints have not been a concern, nor has any effort been spared in leveraging technology; consequently, we have succeeded in gradually establishing a robust security grid in this region. We have successfully constructed watchtowers here and elevated the entire BOP area above ground level.

Shri Amit Shah stated that, in the 60^th year of the BSF's establishment, a decision has been taken to completely transform the BSF's concept of border security. In the days to come, we will establish a quadrangular security grid and introduce a new concept of 'territorial security' to replace the traditional approach of mere border security. He added that this initiative would entail a primary responsibility shared among the public, the civil administration, the local police, and the military, alongside the BSF personnel. Shri Shah further mentioned that, under the Smart Border Security Project, efforts are underway to fortify the security grids along the borders. This endeavor involves an investment running into thousands of crores of rupees, and he expressed confidence that the deployment of drones, radars, watchtowers, state-of-the-art technology, and security personnel will result in the creation of a robust security grid. Once established, no one will dare to breach our borders.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah said that we are considering assigning additional areas of responsibility to the BSF. He noted that the most significant gap in our security grid lay in the incomplete fencing along the West Bengal border. While geographical conditions cannot be altered, we had previously faced difficulties in acquiring land even in areas where the terrain permitted the construction of border fencing. However, recently—with the blessings of the people of West Bengal—our party formed the government in the state; within just one week of assuming office, the Chief Minister took a decision in principle to allocate land for border fencing, and some land has already been handed over. He asserted that once the fencing is completed, we will succeed in curbing infiltration. Furthermore, work on installing technological fencing is being expedited in forested regions and along riverine channels to prevent infiltration through these routes. In the days to come, the entire border will be secured, thanks to the valor, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty of the BSF personnel.

The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation stated that the entire nation respects the spirit of the BSF personnel and salutes them. It is because of them that peace prevails in that region of Gujarat today.

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RK/PR/PS