Patna: Chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit on Monday directed round-the-clock patrolling along Bihar’s 735-km border with Nepal and called for closer coordination between the police and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) to curb cross-border crime, illegal trafficking and other security threats.Reviewing the security situation in seven border districts, he also ordered coordinated action against fake Aadhaar card rackets, SIM-box fraud and shell companies involved in illegal activities.Chairing a high-level review meeting, the chief secretary assessed security arrangements in West Champaran, East Champaran, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria and Kishanganj. He directed 70 police stations in the border region to work in close coordination with 194 SSB border outposts (BOPs) and ensure effective surveillance along the international border.Issues relating to cross-border crime, terrorism, economic security and illegal trafficking were discussed during the meeting. The Economic Offences Unit and district police were directed to launch joint operations against networks involved in fake Aadhaar cards, SIM-box fraud and shell companies.Pratyaya also directed officials to ensure that counterfeit currency detection machines installed at bank branches, particularly cooperative banks, remain functional. He asked police and excise authorities to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards the smuggling of narcotics and weapons and stressed strict implementation of the PIT-NDPS Act.According to data reviewed during the meeting, enforcement agencies seized 20,625kg of ganja, 61.85kg of charas and 1,98,656 narcotic pills from the border districts. A total of 1,023 people were arrested in connection with these cases.In a separate review meeting on public welfare schemes, the chief secretary directed officials to expedite disposal of pending ration card applications and ordered strict action against agencies lagging in the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.The chief secretary also ordered officials to complete pending e-KYC verification in mission mode and ensure the speedy issuance of ration cards to all eligible beneficiaries.
