NEW DELHI: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today operationalised the intelligence wing of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) here to penetrate deep into the matters along India’s vulnerable free border with Nepal and Bhutan.
The MHA had sanctioned a total of 650 combatised posts for the border guarding force, that earlier depended on the civil cadre for intelligence inputs and lacked a separate unit for it. ”
The sealed and fenced borders are considered more difficult, however I feel open friendly borders are more difficult to guard as there is free movement and insurgents and other criminal elements tend to exploit them more”, said Mr Singh adding that on such borders the force has to be more alert and vigilant.
The home minister also told the SSB personnel to be aware of various fake information and news being spread over social media regarding activities in border areas and said that one should not rely on such fake information as they are spread allegedly by the separatists and other anti national groups to spread distress amongst people.
He praised the work of Director General SSB Archana Ramasundaram, which she had taken up under her tenure. He also said that it was the first time that a CAPF had a female DG, and she has very effectively handled the work of SSB This intelligence wing will have seven DIGs, one at each frontiers and one at the force headquarters, according to sources.
Chief of the Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain who was also present on the occassion said, ” SSB’s intelligence wing will be a new member in the iintelligence family and we welcome them”, he added saying that border related intelligence is a very important matter and the responsibility of the border force regarding intel of the border which was their Area of Responsibility(AOR), and this move will make SSB more efficient and effective.
Meanwhile, the Home Minister also launched the WARB APP( Welfare and Rehabilitation Board) for all the CAPFs including BSF, SSB, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and Assam Rifles, to fecilitate the retired personnel of these forces for their various aspects such as grievance redressal, skill development training, re employment and other information for their use.
The skill development and employment assistance will be provied through NSDC as the SSB had signed an MoU with NSDC.
The DG SSB also expressed her gratitude towards Home Ministry saying that the intelligence wing was sanctioned timely to the force.
SSB’s Women Welfare Association ‘SANDIKSHA’ also adopted 28 children of the 18 martyred personnel for helping them financing their school, college and university education.
DGs of the other CAPFs were also present on the occasion. (AGENCIES)
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