Report abnormal population growth in border areas: Shah to SPs

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday (July 9, 2026) said information on demographic changes in border areas caused by “abnormal factors” such as illegal migration should be communicated from the grassroots to the highest levels at the earliest.

He said the government is committed to curbing “unnatural demographic growth” caused by abnormal factors with a “ruthless approach” and a demography mission has been constituted to study the pattern.

“The primary cause of demographic changes in border areas is infiltration. To make border security impenetrable, the Modi government has created a quadrangular security grid, transforming India’s approach from reactive to proactive,” Mr. Shah said. 

“We are creating a robust system to make the country completely infiltration-free and to ensure that infiltration does not happen at all,” he added.

Mr. Shah made the remarks at the first-ever Land Border Districts’ Superintendents of Police Conference 2026. The meeting was attended by SPs of 119 border districts. Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Director of Intelligence Bureau Mahesh Dixit were present at the conference along with the Directors General of Police of the States.

“The government is moving from an isolated border outpost system towards the creation of an integrated security grid,” the Minister said.

He said the conference has given an institutional shape to the comprehensive approach towards border security, adding that in the coming days, the government will move forward to ensure coastal border security.  He said India’s border security system, based on the vision of a “smart border”, will become the “most modern” in the world in the coming years.

The Minister said the government has augmented border infrastructure by 400% and is taking it forward with a scientific approach. Under the Vibrant Villages Programme, efforts are being made to prevent migration, create jobs, and ensure 100% implementation of government welfare schemes, he said.

Mr. Shah said the government has decided to fence the 1,610-km-long India-Myanmar border at a cost of ₹31,000 crore. “Our objectives are to prevent proxy war, illegal infiltration, radicalisation, narcotics trafficking, smuggling, drone-related threats, cybercrime, organised crime, and demographic changes; to make border areas more livable; prevent migration from these regions; and ensure their security,” he said.