On June 12, 2023, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah instructed all the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to establish teams which will specialise in drone technology and anti-drone measures, officials aware of the matter said.
The directive was issued during a “Chintan Shivir” held in New Delhi, where the topmost officers from all the paramilitary forces were present.
The Chintan Shivir serves as a crucial platform for all the officers of the Indian Police Service (IPS) from all forces to exchange experiences, discuss challenges, devise future strategies and effectively address them.
As per the spokesperson of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shah directed all the officers to maintain strict vigil on the smuggling of weapons, drugs and infiltrators into the country by various frontiers.
Since most of the narcotics, weapons and ammunition from Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal and other frontiers are being carried out by drones, it was imperative for Amit Shah to hold the meeting.
The growing concern of drug and weapon smuggling from Pakistan into India through various frontiers was the main topic of the discussion, with special probes By the Punjab Police and Delhi Police uncovering the use of Pakistani weapons in terror activities.
During the meeting, Shah told officers to make arrangements to ensure free treatment is provided to all the citizens in hospitals that the CAPF manages.
Apart from drones, the second most important element of the meeting was to highlight the importance of the safety and significance of border villages. “The Home Minister said that the Vibrant Villages Programs has been conducted to provide employment and communications in border areas. Communication and contact with every village and its residents are important for the security of the borders.
He stressed that all the CAPF forces must promote the purchase of local products, which would increase employment opportunities in border areas and stop migration, the spokesperson said,”
The VVP has a large target to achieve, it will target the comprehensive development of villages in 46 border blocks across the 19 districts in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh (a Union territory) An allocated fund of Rs 4800 crores has been earmarked for the program spanning financial years 2022-23 and 2025-26.
Beyond border security and development initiatives, the meeting also focused on topics related to the forces, such as border security, capacity building, mentoring junior officers, police public relations, the welfare of the jawans, and best practises were discussed, the ministry spokesperson said
“The Home Minister also said that the jawans must get at least one hour for sports every day. This will not only help develop their physical and mental strength. This will also create an increase in the protection of the motherland. He said that the IPS officers must have a cordial relationship with jawans, and along with them, they should also take care of their families,” the spokesperson added.
The Paramilitary Forces of India, such as Assam Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Border Security Forces, play a vital role in safeguarding the frontiers and international border and also by maintaining internal security by combating left-wing extremism along with militancy and ensuring law and order across the states.
Other important paramilitary forces include Indo Tibetan Border Force (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Shastra Seema Bal (SSB). All of these forces are under the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs. All of them are led and headed by IPS Officers
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