Amit Shah hails SSB, says it’s time to end infiltration by 2 ‘friendly neighbours’

It was time that infiltration through the borders with two neighbouring countries were stopped completely, said Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday. He also mentioned that attempts of smuggling through the Nepal and Bhutan borders had almost stopped. Shah was speaking on the 61st Raising Day of the Sashastra Seema Bal at the Frontier Headquarters in Siliguri’s Ranidanga.

“It is time to completely stop infiltration through our borders with two friendly neighbours. We have to nab each person crossing the border with an intention to harm India,” said Shah.

“The country’s home minister does not have to worry about the security along the 2,450-km border India has with Nepal and Bhutan. The SSB jawans are manning these areas. There is always a tendency to smuggle narcotics, arms and weapons, and human trafficking through unfenced borders. SSB jawans have stopped such attempts,” he said.

Claiming that Bihar and Jharkhand had become “free of Maoist rebels” following a long vigil of SSB jawans, he stated, “In Jharkhand and Bihar, SSB played a key role in combating Maoists. The movement is almost over in these areas. More than 600 rebels have been arrested in the last seven years and 15 have been killed. As many as 28 Maoist rebels surrendered during the period.”

“SSB also weakened Maoist activities in Chhattisgarh,” Shah said. He said that SSB had arrested 4,000 smugglers and traffickers and seized 16,000 kg narcotics in 2024.

Shah also stressed the strategic and important role SSB played in securing Siliguri and adjoining areas. He said that the Siliguri corridor, located between Mahananda and Teesta rivers, was an important route that connected northeastern states with the rest of India. “The SSB maintains peace along this road, which enables smooth transportation. SSB’s presence in such a region has been the reason for the entire country to stay assured and breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.

Shah also met officers of BSF which guards 936 km of border in north Bengal. He virtually inaugurated accommodation facilities for BSF personnel at the Petrapole Integrated Check Post.