Gandhinagar: The state govt on Wednesday reviewed its four-pronged security grid for the state’s border districts, with the state and central agencies deciding to strengthen an integrated framework to keep a closer watch on infiltration, drug trafficking, illegal activities and other security-related concerns.The high-level meeting, chaired by CM Bhupendra Patel and deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, focused on implementing the ‘One Border-One Picture-One Chain of Action’ approach to ensure coordinated action by border security forces, central agencies, the state and district administrations and citizens.An official statement said the review comes after Union home minister Amit Shah outlined the concept of the four-pronged security grid at a meeting held recently in Bhuj. The framework envisages coordinated action involving the four key pillars to strengthen security along Gujarat’s international border.The meeting in Gandhinagar discussed continuous surveillance and coordinated action in six key areas, including infiltration, narcotics trafficking, demographic changes and economic offences. The govt also reviewed measures to tackle illegal activities and encroachments in border areas.Patel said the coordination between central agencies and the state police had strengthened efforts to secure border areas. He called for a more intensive 360-degree surveillance approach by all departments.“We have to send a clear message to those involved in illegal activities, infiltration, drug trafficking and illegal encroachments in border areas that there is no place for such activities in Gujarat and they will not be allowed,” the statement quoted Patel as saying.Sanghavi said security-related work in border areas needed to be treated differently from routine govt work. He stressed the need to involve enthusiastic and committed personnel so that action could be taken without delay and produce results.“Routine work and work related to border security are very different. We must ensure that result-oriented work is carried out without delay by involving enthusiastic and diligent people,” Sanghavi said.He also urged central and state agencies to work through an integrated approach and maintain close coordination. He specifically directed officials to ensure that drives against illegal encroachments do not come to a halt.
