Punjab Governor, CM review issues of border districts impacting national security

Fazilka, April 9: Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann held a series of meetings in Fazilka town on Saturday to take stock of the important issues concerning the border district Fazilka which impacts national security. The meeting was attended by senior officers of central government agencies including the BSF, Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Control Bureau, National Investigation Agency, Military Intelligence of the Army and the senior officers of the State Government, Chief Secretary, DGP, Deputy Commissioner and Fazilka SSP. Earlier, both the Governor and Chief Minister addressed a meeting with sarpanches and other prominent citizens of the district, followed by a press conference. The Governor in his address called upon the people to be eyes and ears of the border security forces. He said that the past incidents of air-dropping of arms and ammunition into Punjab Borders have necessitated all concerned to be on vigil. He said that the security forces are doing their part but the local input and support can go a long way in checking the influx of contraband weapons and drugs into the State. He said that it has been observed that in many cases the modus operandi for proliferation of firearms and weapons as well as consignments of drugs has been ‘conceal and clear’ wherein the cross-border smugglers using high-tech technology like drones to drop the consignment into the Indian territory which thereafter is retrieved by their Indian associates. So, it is pertinent that the villagers should be careful of the antecedents of all the new entrants into the village and should be on guard against any attempt towards misuse of their innocence by the anti- national elements. Purohit said that the concept of security over the years has broadened. Along with traditional threats to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State, security now also envisages the non-traditional threat in the form of organized crime, illegal migration, arms and drug trafficking etc. Amongst these the illicit proliferation and misuse of small arms is a major security threat. He said that the border districts are vulnerable to this menace of contraband arms smuggling. Therefore, it is mandatory that in the interest of the safety and security of the State and the country, people should extent whole hearted support to the Border Security Forces and the State Police and report any suspicious activity or person in their area. He also appealed to the people to cooperate with the local authorities to stop drug trafficking in the area. The injection of drugs into the State is no less than an act of war; it is a lethal assault against the people of Punjab. On its own, it may be seen or even dismissed as a criminal activity but dropping payloads of narcotics is a broader strategy of covert and unrestricted warfare. Narcotics, combined with financial instruments like fake currency and arms and ammunitions together have a tremendous potential to inflict harm in the present and future. These are not unconnected streams, but are components of an integrated, planned and sustained strategy of attrition. The Governor said that the drugs entering from borders percolates into the cities, towns, schools and colleges. “Supply of drugs to youth is a direct assault on our posterity, our future. We cannot let this menace hurt our State’s present or mar its future.” “We need to join hands and seal our border against all sorts of infiltration, vociferously,” he asserted and said the security and safety of the border areas can only be ensured with concerted and sustained cooperation of the people, State Government agencies and central Government agencies at all levels. Purohit said, “There is no quick fix to illicit flows; there is only a sustained process that requires the commitment of all, including the agencies, Center and State with regular exchange of intel and inputs.” This, he said, needs to be complemented by support from the public and added that ‘Joint efforts and determination to secure the border’ will definitely yield rich dividends. (UNI)