Araria, February 26 Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed confidence on Thursday that the BJP would win the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal and "drive out every single infiltrator" from the state, which was among those "most affected by demographic change".
Shah made the remark in the Araria district of Bihar, where he launched projects worth Rs 175 crore of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and dedicated a couple of new border outposts to the nation.
"It is the top priority of the BJP government to drive out every single infiltrator from the country, who are not just a threat to national security, but also exploit welfare benefits meant for people, thereby diluting the impact of government schemes," he said.
"Large-scale infiltration also leads to encroachments in border areas. We are committed to demolishing these. Infiltration also poses a threat of demographic change, which can disrupt the culture and even the geography of a region," Shah said.
The Narendra Modi government at the Centre has decided to set up a high-powered committee to study and "undo demographic change," by identifying the most vulnerable areas, the home minister said.
"Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal are the states most affected by demographic change. West Bengal will hold elections soon. We are confident that the BJP will win the elections. And, it is the top priority of every BJP government to drive out infiltrators," he asserted.
The BJP, which had been a marginal power in West Bengal until a decade ago, has over the years expanded its presence and emerged as the principal challenger to the Trinamool Congress headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who seeks a fourth consecutive term in office.
"The crackdown on infiltrators will begin in this Seemanchal region of Bihar, where I had the opportunity to stay for four days during the assembly elections held a few months ago. I thank the people of the state for their resounding mandate to the NDA. The BJP contested the elections on the issue of infiltration, despite criticism from our opponents," he said.
"Expelling infiltrators is as much a part of our agenda in Bihar as the welfare of the people. I promise the people of the state and the entire country that every single infiltrator will be driven out before we approach them for a fresh mandate," Shah said.
The SSB has an important role to play in checking infiltration, he noted.
Guarding the borders is easy when proper fencing is in place and relations with the neighbouring country are friendly, but "a different approach is needed when we are dealing with porous borders," he said.
"Therefore, I would urge top officials of the SSB and other concerned agencies to sit together and prepare an SOP for such areas. It is essential that our jawans manning the borders maintain good relations with the inhabitants of villages situated along the borders. Their feedback would be useful in checking smuggling and narcotics trade. Our jawans should also have cordial relations with security personnel deployed across the border," the senior BJP leader said.
"The central government is also committed to the welfare of our jawans and their families. Schemes like CAPF Awas Yojana and CAPF Ayushman health insurance, besides scholarships for dependent family members, are in place. Ex gratia for those who suffer disabilities in the course of their duties has also been increased," Shah said.
Shah, who spoke in the presence of Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, began his speech by paying tributes to freedom fighter and Hindutva icon Vinayak Damodar Sawarkar on his death anniversary.
"Veer Savarkar was not just a fearless patriot, but also a brilliant writer, who was equally proficient in both poetry and prose. It was his work that made people view the Revolt of 1857 as not just a mutiny, but the country's first war of independence. He attacked social evils like untouchability and worked towards fostering nationalism till his death. I offer him my tributes on behalf of the nation," he added.
