3 min readJan 21, 2026 12:56 PM IST
First published on: Jan 21, 2026 at 12:13 PM IST
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is learnt to have directed officers from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and state police to spend at least 50 nights every year in border villages, in a move aimed at deepening engagement with frontier communities and strengthening grassroots intelligence gathering.
According to officials familiar with the development, the instructions were issued to the directors general of the Border Security Force (BSF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the Assam Rifles, and the police chiefs of border states. The directive follows deliberations at the DG-IG Conference held in Raipur in November last year.
In a recent direction, MHA said the police should increase their movement in border villages as a part of the Vibrant Villages Programme. “As part of direct measures, police officers/teams should undertake night stay for at least 50 nights in border villages every year,” the source said, citing the directions.
VVP was launched on April 10, 2023, by the MHA to identify villages of strategic importance in blocks abutting the northern border in a mission mode, to improve the quality of life of people living in these villages.
A source said that during their 50-day visit, officers will engage directly with the villagers to understand their basic socio-economic issues, traditions, potential vulnerabilities, build their trust, and improve intelligence gathering. “During these extended visits, officers are also expected to interact with youth, adventure tourists, NCC cadets, and community representatives, encouraging them to act as “eyes and ears” for the security agencies,” the source said.
At a workshop on the Vibrant Villages Programme held in Delhi last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had underscored the role of CAPFs in promoting socio-economic development alongside their security duties. “The CAPFs can provide assistance in the areas of health, sports, and education,” Shah said.
Citing the example of ITBP’s initiative in Arunachal Pradesh, Shah said the force had begun sourcing essentials like milk, vegetables, and grains directly from Vibrant Villages, a model that also supports local employment.
“It is the responsibility of the CAPFs and district collectors to establish dairy cooperatives to meet the milk requirements of the CAPFs and the army directly from the villages. This will aid in employment generation,” the home minister said then.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked CAPF and state police officers to spend at least 50 nights each year in border villages. (File photo) 
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