Shah reviews security at Siliguri Corridor, pushes for 'triangular grid'

The meeting focused mainly on strengthening security arrangements in the Siliguri Corridor, also known as the 'Chicken's Neck'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday held a meeting with senior officials of West Bengal and central forces to review security along the nation's eastern borders, focusing primarily on strengthening arrangements at the Siliguri Corridor, also called the 'Chicken's Neck', officials said.

The key focus of the meeting was to enhance border surveillance, improve coordination between the central security forces, intelligence agencies and the state police and administration, and draw up a framework for establishing a 'Triangular Security Grid' to make the corridor impregnable, they said.

Issues related to activities of Persons of Indian Origin -- referring to foreign citizens with ancestral roots in India -- demographic changes, illegal immigration and the border affairs were also discussed, officials said.

 

Shah's security review meeting was attended by senior officials of central and state ministries, including MHA, MoRTH, Army, BSF, SSB and RPF, apart from West Bengal chief secretary and DGP, a statement from MHA said.

"During the meeting, which was also attended by CM Suvendu Adhikari, the Multi Agency Centre's (MAC)Standing Focus Group on Siliguri Corridor (SFG-SC) made a presentation about progress made so far and its recommendations towards further strengthening the security of the Siliguri corridor," the statement added.

The crucial discussion took place at Sukna on the outskirts of Siliguri on the third and final day of the home minister's visit to the state.

"Shah also reviewed the status of all infrastructure projects being undertaken in Siliguri Corridor that are critical to its security. He also discussed issues related to PIO activities, demographic changes, illegal immigration and the border affairs," the statement said.

The meeting's significance lay in Siliguri's proximity to the international borders with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh, and the importance of the narrow corridor that serves as the principal land link between the Northeast and the rest of the country.

"The Siliguri Corridor is one of the most sensitive areas that connect eight states and is crucial to national security. We have prepared a triangular grid comprising three new military garrisons at Dhubri in Assam, Kishanganj in Bihar and Chopra in West Bengal," Shah had said at an event of the SSB in Siliguri on Friday, elucidating the Centre's plans to set up the grid around the Chicken's Neck land patch.

Shah, officials said, stressed the concept of a quadrangular approach to border security and directed all agencies to implement it in full spirit during Saturday's meeting.

"Emphasising the criticality of infrastructure projects in the corridor, Shah directed all agencies present to complete all pending works in a time-bound manner," the MHA communication added.

Shah directed all agencies present to increase their footprints in the corridor by establishing more of their institutions.

He also reviewed security of all vital installations on the corridor and directed that all necessary steps be taken to secure them.

"He further directed to keep the Siliguri Corridor free of encroachments. He also underscored the need to take all steps to stop illegal immigration," the MHA said.

Shah, officials said, suggested Adhikari to explore possibilities of opening more Sainik schools in North Bengal.

He further asked the CM to work towards increasing the number of senior NCC cadets in North Bengal and also urged the state to strengthen the institution of Civil Defence and Home Guards in Siliguri Corridor, they added.