Shah seeks strict curbs on encroachments, illegal immigration at Siliguri Corridor

Kolkata: Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday asked central and state agencies to keep the strategically sensitive Siliguri Corridor or ‘Chicken’s Neck’ free from encroachments and directed them to curb illegal immigration in the zone.

Shah undertook a review of security of Siliguri Corridor, which was attended by CM Suvendu Adhikari, chief secretary Manoj Agarwal, DGP SN Gupta and senior officials from central and state ministries, including MHA, ministry of road transport and highways, Army, BSF, SSB and RPF.

The Multi-Agency Centre’s Standing Focus Group on Siliguri Corridor delivered a presentation detailing the progress made so far and outlined recommendations to further strengthen the region’s security.

Shah reviewed the status of critical infrastructure projects at the corridor and also discussed matters relating to Person of Indian Origin (PIO) activities, demographic changes and border affairs. Stressing the concept of a quadrangular approach to border security, the Union home minister directed all agencies to implement it in full spirit.

Shah told all agencies present to expand their footprints at the corridor by establishing more of their institutions and instructed comprehensive security for all vital installations across the corridor.

He also asked Adhikari to explore the possibility of opening more Sainik schools in north Bengal, work towards increasing the number of senior NCC cadets in the region and strengthen civil defence and home guards institutions within Siliguri Corridor.

The quadrangular approach to security in Siliguri Corridor transitions border defence from traditional force-only patrolling to an integrated, multi-layered grid. It synchronises four key pillars: local border communities providing ground intelligence, civil administration clearing encroachments and managing infrastructure, state police curbing internal criminal networks and military and CAPFs (Army, BSF, SSB, RPF) providing tactical dominance.