File Photo: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju
Despite being a large country it seems "small" in border areas due to under-developed or absent infrastructure, Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju aid and called for repealing of "regulations of the 50s-60s" which restrict development in the regions.
The minister, who is directly responsible for internal security challenges along Indian borders, also said the security regulations and restrictions in these areas are as old as that of the 1950s-1960s and should be discontinued.
"India is a large country but when you reach the border areas you feel we are not that large country or to say we feel small.
"I say this is in terms of infrastructure development in these areas. The perception of development in these areas has been taken as negative with a consideration that these areas should not be given a free hand (for development)," he said while addressing a seminar on border management and security.
Talking about development and strategic activities to be initiated in these frontier areas, Mr Rijiju said in this age of quick communication, it would be wrong to think that one can keep things secret in New Delhi.
"My thinking is very clear. It's not very wise to hide your weaknesses. In this the age of Google, Internet and Information Technology, anyone can see live from the top what is being done," he said.
"At the airports or border areas there are restrictions from the Home Ministry that don't take photographs... but people can see it live through Internet.
"I think these regulations of the 50s-60s should be discontinued. We should, no doubt, classify whatever is essential," he said, adding that his frank statements earlier have courted controversies but he would not mince his words while speaking on the subject under discussion.
"I know that my electorate does not vote me based on what media writes or says but they judge me by the work that I do," he added.
Mr Rijiju lamented that the "policies" and procedures in the Home Ministry have not been correct in the past in this regard.
The minister, who has extensively travelled to the border areas as part of his official work in the last one year, cited instances where the mobile connectivity of neighbouring "small countries" work till inside the Indian side, but those of the country does not work.
He asserted that India should develop its border areas not only for security matters but in order to help the civilians who live in these areas and are as important protectors of the country as the security forces deployed here.
"Many countries world-over base their population illegally just as a part of their tactical manoeuvres to claim the territory.... but we Indians are more nice than what we should we be. We don't' capture someone else's land and we do not have any desires to do so. But, we totally need to change our outlook for border management so that we can develop our border areas," the minister said.