Jaipur, June 19: Acting under a ‘zero tolerance’ policy and following directions from the Union Home Ministry, a joint team of the district administration, police, and Border Security Force (BSF) launched a major operation against alleged illegal constructions within 15 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Barmer district.

The action was carried out in border villages falling under the Gadra Road and Chauhatan subdivisions in Barmer district.

Authorities had earlier surveyed the structures and issued notices directing occupants to remove the alleged illegal constructions by June 18.

However, after the deadline passed without compliance, the district administration, police, and BSF initiated a joint demolition and removal drive on Thursday. The operation covered villages including Hamirani, Malana, Kerkori, Chauhatan, Bhalgaon, and Demba, where officials inspected and verified the legality of permanent structures. According to the administration, the exercise forms part of an intensified border security initiative aimed at identifying and removing unauthorised constructions in sensitive areas near the international border.

Officials said the action was undertaken in accordance with security directives and legal procedures, with prior notices served to affected parties. The administration maintains that the drive is focused on ensuring compliance with regulations in strategically important border zones.

However, the operation has sparked resentment among sections of the local community, with residents and public representatives questioning both the timing and manner of the action. Members of the affected community have termed the demolitions unfair and alleged that adequate consultation was not carried out before the drive was launched.

The issue has also triggered a political controversy. Ahead of the action, Congress in-charge and Baytu MLA Harish Chaudhary and Barmer-Jaisalmer MP Ummedaram Beniwal held a press conference opposing the move. They alleged that the operation was being carried out for political gain and warned against turning the sensitive border region into a political battleground.

“The border area should not become part of a political agenda. Such actions risk damaging the centuries-old social harmony and brotherhood that exists in the Thar region,” the leaders said.

Congress representatives also met the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) and formally objected to the drive. They argued that undertaking such a large-scale operation without meaningful dialogue with local residents and elected representatives was inappropriate.

It needs to be mentioned here that a comprehensive security blueprint has been devised and implemented following directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to completely dismantle cross-border networks involved in infiltration, drug smuggling, and other illegal activities aided by modern drone technology.

Under this plan, four Rajasthan border districts, namely, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Sri Ganganagar, have been designated as ‘Special Watch Zones’.

The Border Security Force (BSF), district administration, local police, and central and state intelligence agencies will now function under a unified command structure.

The initiative aims to establish complete transparency, enhanced surveillance, and stringent security oversight of all activities within a 50-kilometre radius of the India-Pakistan border, ensuring swift detection and prevention of any suspicious or unlawful activity.

Patna, June 18: Tension gripped Bilauti village in Bihar’s Bhojpur district on Thursday after the death of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during a police encounter a day earlier.

The incident has triggered widespread protests, with family members and villagers alleging that the police used excessive force and demanding an impartial investigation.

Bharat Bhushan Tiwari was injured during an encounter on Wednesday when a joint team of the Shahpur police and the Special Task Force (STF) attempted to arrest him following reports that he had been brandishing a firearm and allegedly firing at police personnel.

He was initially taken to Shahpur Referral Hospital before being referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where he later died during treatment.

However, the deceased’s family has strongly disputed the police version of events.

Speaking amid the protests, Bharat Bhushan’s mother questioned the circumstances of the encounter and accused the police of shooting her son despite his surrender.

“My son was dedicated to social welfare. He had surrendered, yet the police shot him. Why was he shot after surrendering?” she asked.

She further claimed that her son had been influenced by others and was not the owner of any licensed firearm.

“He had a hot temper, but someone from the village gave him the pistol and misled him. He surrendered, yet they fired five shots at him,” she alleged.

The grieving mother also described her son as someone who frequently helped people in the village and said the family was struggling to understand why such action was taken against him.

Anger over the incident spilled onto the streets as hundreds of villagers gathered near Bilauti village and blocked the Ara-Buxar four-lane highway.

Protesters placed the deceased’s body on the road and raised slogans against the police administration.

Witnesses estimated that between 1,000 and 1,500 people participated in the demonstration, causing major traffic disruptions and long queues of vehicles on both sides of the highway.

Villagers alleged that the encounter was staged and questioned the legality of the police action.

“There is no provision for killing a person who is surrendering. If someone wants to surrender in a case, can the police shoot him dead? An impartial inquiry must be conducted,” one protester said.

Another villager claimed that Bharat Bhushan had no criminal background and was known locally for social work.

The controversy comes days after a video allegedly showing Bharat Bhushan Tiwari brandishing a firearm went viral on social media.

According to police, officers initially visited his residence to investigate the video, during which he allegedly threatened personnel with a pistol.

Police stated that when officers returned with STF support to arrest him on Wednesday morning, he opened fire on the team, forcing them to retaliate in self-defence.

The encounter resulted in multiple gunshot injuries to Tiwari.

The incident has already led to departmental action. Following the circulation of videos from the operation, Shahabad Range DIG Dr Satyaprakash ordered the suspension of the Shahpur Station House Officer (SHO), along with a sub-inspector and a constable, citing alleged negligence and lapses in handling the situation.

Following Thursday’s protests, additional police personnel were deployed in the area to maintain law and order.

New Delhi, June 18: A proclaimed offender who was allegedly involved in an illegal arms trafficking case and had been evading arrest, was nabbed from Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district, police said on Thursday.

As part of its ongoing drive against proclaimed offenders and habitual criminals, the Special Staff team of the national Capital’s Shahdara district was actively gathering Intelligence regarding absconding accused persons wanted in various criminal cases.

On June 16, credible secret information was received that the proclaimed offender, identified as 35-year-old Punit alias Punjabi, was present in Khurja, in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.

Verification of records revealed that the accused had been declared a proclaimed offender by the Patiala House Court in New Delhi, in connection with a 2013 case.

Upon receiving the information about the accused, a dedicated police team was constituted comprising SI Rajkumar, HC Nitin, Ct. Rudrapratap and Ct. Shekhar. The team functioned under the leadership of Inspector Ashish Kumar, I/C Special Staff, Shahdara District, under the close supervision of ACP/Operations, Shahdara District and overall supervision of DCP Shahdara.

The team immediately proceeded to Khurja in Bulandshahr and conducted sustained surveillance and field verification. Through meticulous efforts and strategic deployment, the team successfully located and apprehended the proclaimed offender.

According to investigators, the accused was taken into custody and legal proceedings under Section 35(1)(D) BNSS were initiated. He is being produced before the court for further legal action.

Officials revealed that the accused Punit alias Punjabi is a notorious and habitual culprit with a long criminal history. In 2013, he was arrested by the Special Cell, Delhi, in a major arms trafficking case wherein 10 illegal pistols along with 10 spare magazines were recovered from his possession.

Investigation at that time revealed his involvement in trafficking illegal firearms from Munger in Bihar to Delhi. The accused had subsequently absconded from legal proceedings and was declared a proclaimed person by the court.

The arrested accused was previously involved in eight criminal cases, including offences under the Arms Act, Attempt to Murder, House Trespass, Criminal Intimidation, Assault, and Dowry Prohibition Act.