India will heighten border security
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind today said infiltrators "pose a major threat" to India's internal security and said border security will be further strengthened to prevent infiltration.
Addressing the joint sitting of the two Houses of parliament, he said "illegal infiltrators pose a major threat to our internal security. This is leading to social imbalance in many parts of the country, as well as putting a huge pressure on limited livelihood opportunities."
Our New Delhi correspondent reports, Kovind said the "government has decided to implement the process of National Register of Citizens (NRC) on a priority basis in areas affected by infiltration and border security will be further strengthened to prevent infiltration."
While on one hand, the government is working to identify the infiltrators, on the other, it is also fully committed to protecting the victims of persecution due to their faith. "In this regard, efforts will be made to amend the Citizenship Act while protecting the linguistic, cultural and social identities," the President said.
The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had returned to power for a second consecutive term in parliamentary elections recently, had made NRC, illegal immigration from Bangladesh and Citizenship Amendment Bill among its major poll planks particularly in West Bengal and north eastern Indian states.
Kovind said the government accorded utmost importance to the nation's security and effective steps are, therefore, being taken to tackle terrorism and Naxalism.
"India has amply demonstrated both her intent and capabilities, first through surgical strikes and then through air strikes (in Balakot, Pakistan) after the Pulwama attack at terrorist hideouts across the border. In future too, all possible steps will be taken to ensure our security," the Indian President said.
Kovind said the people of India have given a mandate in recent national elections to continue with the country's development journey that started in 2014.
He pointed out that over 61 crore people voted in the Lok Sabha polls, creating a record. Women came out in large numbers to exercise their franchise and a record 78 women have been elected as members of the Lok Sabha -- the highest ever and almost half of the elected members are first timers, Kovind added.
He said the new government has started working towards building a New India which will move forward towards that ideal state envisioned by Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore "where the mind of the people is without fear and the head is held high with self-esteem. In Gurudev's words Chitto Jetha Bhay-Shunno, Uchcho Jetha Shir."