Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed authorities to strictly enforce a 'zero tolerance' policy against illegal constructions within 15 km of the country's borders and demolish all such structures that have come up over the years. According to reports from The Times of India, Shah chaired a security review meeting in Bikaner on Tuesday (May 26, 2026) to assess security issues concerning border districts of Rajasthan along the India-Pakistan border. The meeting was attended by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, senior state officials, and district magistrates and superintendents of police from five border districts including Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Sri Ganganagar and Phalodi.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has assigned enhanced responsibility to district magistrates to ensure legal and financial compliance of banking transactions in border areas by all banks, verify big business establishments, examine their funding sources, track mule accounts and false companies, identify fake Aadhaar cards and control cross-border smuggling. As reported by The Times of India, Shah stressed formulating a 360-degree security cover for every border district involving citizens, state machinery and security agencies. He called for strict enforcement of the zero tolerance policy against illegal constructions, particularly within 0 to 15 km of internal borders, and emphasized the importance of a coordinated approach involving the BSF, CBDT, NCB and state machinery.
According to the home ministry statement reported by The Times of India, the border districts have been directed to carry out an in-depth study of the sources, patterns and networks behind crimes and the drug menace, and develop lasting solutions so that these problems do not resurface. Shah underscored the importance of coordinated border management involving multiple agencies to address issues of infiltration, narcotics smuggling, encroachment, terror financing and other trans-border crimes. The home minister also directed to ensure 100 per cent saturation of all government schemes in border villages and called for effective use of the '1930' call centre to tackle cybercrimes.
During the security review meeting, Shah ordered stricter monitoring of mule accounts, fake companies, narcotics networks and suspicious financial activity in border districts adjoining Pakistan. As reported by The Times of India, the home minister emphasized the need for enhanced surveillance and intelligence gathering to prevent cross-border infiltration and criminal activities. The meeting highlighted the comprehensive approach required to address security challenges in border areas, with particular focus on maintaining vigilance against potential threats from neighboring countries.
As reported by The Times of India, a review and feedback on these issues will be undertaken again after two months, therefore districts will have to ensure result-oriented action. The home ministry emphasized the successful implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)-II for strengthening last mile governance, curbing economic crimes, fulfilling infrastructural gaps and supporting border population. The meeting highlighted the need for lasting solutions to border security challenges and comprehensive development of border areas.
