JAISALMER: In view of the increasing incidents of cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons through drones from Pakistan into the border sectors of Bikaner and Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, Union Home minister Amit Shah is likely to visit the border district of Bikaner on a two-day tour on May 25 and 26. Preparations for the proposed visit have been intensified by the BSF, district administration, and police authorities.According to sources, the Home Minister is expected to inspect BSF border outposts and review ongoing development works in the border regions. During the visit, he is also likely to hold a high-level meeting with the Collectors and Superintendents of Police of Rajasthan’s five border districts — Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Jaisalmer, Barmer and Hanumangarh — along with officials from various security and intelligence agencies.Amid growing concerns over cross-border smuggling, security threats, and border management challenges along the India-Pakistan border, Amit Shah’s visit is being considered highly significant.It is noteworthy that Rajasthan chief secretary V. Srinivas chaired a review meeting via video conference on Wednesday with senior officials regarding preparations for the Home Minister’s proposed visit. Meanwhile, Bikaner Range IG Om Prakash and SP Mridul Kachhawa are busy finalizing security arrangements and administrative preparations.Union minister and Bikaner MP Arjun Ram Meghwal confirmed the proposed two-day visit of Amit Shah and stated that the Union Home Minister is expected to arrive in Bikaner late on the evening of May 25 and stay overnight there.On May 26, Amit Shah is likely to visit BSF border posts to review security arrangements and later participate in an important meeting with security and intelligence officials of the border districts at the Bikaner headquarters. The meeting will focus on reviewing security management along the India-Pakistan border and holding high-level discussions with the BSF.The Union minister described the visit as extremely important from the perspective of national security.Meanwhile, during his Bikaner visit, Amit Shah is also expected to hold discussions with the collectors, SPs, and other security agencies of Rajasthan’s five border districts regarding present security arrangements in the international border region, prevention of cross-border drone-based smuggling of narcotics and weapons, and measures to curb other unlawful activities.On Wednesday, Rajasthan chief secretary V. Srinivasan also conducted a video conference meeting with the collectors, SPs, IGs, and divisional commissioners of all five border districts and issued necessary directions regarding security preparedness and coordination.
