Patna: Union home minister has announced plans for a major security and administrative campaign in the border region of eastern Bihar, pledging to remove unauthorised settlements and tighten controls on cross-border movement.
During a three-day visit to the state, the minister, Amit Shah, addressed a gathering at an event organised by the border security force in Araria district. He said the government would “eliminate all illegal encroachments within 10 kilometres of the border” and initiate a programme to identify and deport undocumented migrants.
“We assure that we will come to seek votes next time only after addressing the issue of infiltration,” Shah said, framing the initiative as part of a wider effort to counter demographic change and strengthen border management.
Officials said a high-level meeting involving central ministries, state authorities and district officials would be convened within three days to finalise a master plan. The proposals include a review of settlements near the frontier and measures to remove structures deemed unlawful.
Shah argued that demographic shifts driven by migration and unauthorised occupation of land could pose risks to cultural and social cohesion. The government intends to establish a committee to examine demographic trends nationwide, with particular focus on border states such as Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand.
Border management has long been a politically sensitive issue in the region, which shares a porous frontier with Nepal and Bangladesh. Critics of previous crackdowns have warned that mass identification and deportation programmes risk human rights violations and could disproportionately affect marginalised communities.
The minister also predicted electoral success for his party in West Bengal, suggesting that winning government there would enable tighter fencing and security measures along the international boundary.
Speaking at the event hosted by Sashastra Seema Bal, Shah praised the force’s role in safeguarding the frontier but said additional steps were necessary to address what he described as ongoing challenges.
No timeline was given for the commencement of the proposed operations, and officials declined to specify how the government intends to distinguish between legal and undocumented residents. Civil society groups have previously urged that any security measures be accompanied by safeguards for due process and community consultation.
The announcements come amid a broader national debate over migration, citizenship and border security, issues that have shaped political discourse in recent years.
