The Government of India is set to launch a High-Powered Demography Mission aimed at curbing illegal immigration, reinforcing border security, and addressing demographic changes in sensitive border regions through advanced surveillance and coordinated enforcement.

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• The Government of India is preparing to formally launch a High-Powered Demography Mission focused on tackling illegal immigration and strengthening national border security mechanisms.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the initiative during the BSF’s Rustamji Memorial lecture, highlighting infiltration challenges from Bangladesh and Myanmar.
• The mission is designed as a strategic response to long-standing concerns over illegal immigration and its potential security and demographic implications in border states.
• Key focus areas include enhanced coordination between central agencies, state governments, and border security forces for effective enforcement operations.
• The initiative draws parallels with the government’s anti-Naxal strategy, emphasizing strong, mission-mode execution to address infiltration issues.
• Border states such as West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura are expected to be central to the implementation due to their sensitive international boundaries.
• Alongside the mission, the government plans a Smart Border Project covering nearly 6,000 kilometres along Pakistan and Bangladesh borders.
• The smart border system will integrate sensors, surveillance technologies, and real-time monitoring tools to improve detection and response capabilities.