Govt for effective management of India-Myanmar border: Rajnath Singh

Singh said that he has constituted a committee to review how to effectively manage the issue

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the committee constituted to review effective management of the India-Myanmar border was likely to submit its report within the next few days and the government would take action as per its recommendations.

"Of late, India-Myanmar border has become more active as there are reports of insurgents, weapons and drugs crossing the border. I have constituted a committee headed by Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) R N Ravi to suggest measures to effectively manage the Indo-Myanmar border," Singh said.

The Committee is expected to submit its report in the next few days and the home ministry would soon take action on that, Singh told a security meeting attended by the chief ministers of all the Northeastern states here.

"We must take care of the development along with the security of people living along the international borders. You would be glad to know that under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP), we have enhanced the share of the region from 30% to 40%," Singh said.

He said 240 villages with over two lakh population within 10 km of the Indo-Myanmar border were living without any worthwhile security cover.

"They are at the mercy of the insurgents. Similar situation prevails along the India-Bhutan border. While the Home Ministry is taking measures for effective management of the border, I would urge upon the chief ministers to pay attention to this crucial area of security," Singh said.

He suggested opening and strengthening of police stations in the border areas to instil a sense of security among the people, which is crucial for successful implementation of the Centre's 'Act-East Policy'.

The union minister also urged the chief ministers to provide land for border fencing by acquisition on urgent basis, wherever it was pending.

Singh said the region had a huge stockpile of illegal firearms which were smuggled in from across the border and sold here and beyond.

"Existence of illegal weapons will encourage crimes and vitiate the security eco-system of the region. I would urge the chief ministers to launch sustained drives against illegal weapons and make their respective states free of such arms," he said.