SSB arrested 4,000 smugglers, traffickers, seized 16,000 kg narcotics this year: Union Home Minister Amit Shah

Apart from the 61st Raising Day celebrations of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Shah is visiting Siliguri to assess the security situation along the India-Bangladesh border near Ranidanga.

2 min readKolkataDec 20, 2024 03:54 PM IST

Union Home Minister Amit Shah addresses on the occasion of 61st Raising Day of SSB, near Siliguri on Friday. (PTI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during his visit to Siliguri, said that the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) arrested 4,000 smugglers and traffickers and seized 16,000 kg of narcotics in 2024.

Shah is in Siliguri to attend the 61st Raising Day celebrations of SSB at Ranidanga, which falls on Siliguri’s outskirts.

“I have no tension over the Nepal and Bhutan border because that is being guarded by the SSB,” said Shah on Friday, saying that the SSB is “successfully” guarding 2,450 km of open borders.

“When borders are open, forces’ responsibility increases much more. (The SSB) successfully kept the 15-km area of the border encroachment-free. They practised zero tolerance and acquired these lands without disturbance. They took on a major role in stopping trafficking along the border. This year, the SSB also seized 208 modern weapons and rescued 301 persons — among them, 231 were children,” he said.

“The Siliguri road is strategically very important as it connects us with the north-east. The SSB maintains peace along this road, which enables smooth transportation,” said Shah.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah and his wife, Sonal Shah, during their early morning visit to Siliguri, describing the meeting as “warm and memorable.”

Apart from the SSB event, Shah’s visit will include an assessment of the security situation along the India-Bangladesh border near Ranidanga. The Union Home Minister is expected to meet with Border Security Force (BSF) officers managing the 936-km stretch of border in north Bengal, especially amid political unrest in Bangladesh.

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As part of his visit, Shah will also inaugurate virtual accommodation facilities for BSF personnel at the Petrapole Integrated Check Post in North 24 Parganas, which is an important trade point between India and Bangladesh.

Local BJP leaders, including West Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumder and Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, were present during the visit.

Atri Mitra

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain. Experience Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express. Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news. Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions. Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal. Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla. Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent. Education Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting. Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More

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