Rajnath Singh praises ITBP for securing borders with China

Addressing the 55th Raising Day Parade of ITBP at Greater Noida on Friday, Rajnath Singh said instances of transgressions on the Sino-Indian border have declined significantly.

Referring to the ITBP guards successfully foiling the terrorist attacks to storm the Indian Consulates in Afghanistan at Mazar-e-Sharif and Jalalabad, the Union Home Minister said the ITBP shoulders a big responsibility not only on the Himalayan border but also in the hinterland such as the LWE affected regions, insurgency in the North-East and key assets and missions at home and in the most challenging environments abroad.

Singh said terrorism is a proxy-war being waged against India and only cowards resort to proxy war, not the brave.

He called upon the Directors General of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to ensure the highest level of morale of the jawans and officers.

On its part the Ministry of Home Affairs has ensured the welfare of the CAPF personnel and their families, he added.

The compensation payable to families of CAPF personnel as victims of accidents on duty or martyred in extremist violence has been hiked from Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 25 lakhs w.e.f. January 1, 2016.

Similarly, personnel who lose life due to natural calamity while deployed on borders will get Rs.35 lakhs instead of Rs.15 lakhs earlier.

Singh said the entire cost of education of martyrs’ children will be borne by the government. The Minister also declared that a medal is being introduced for deployment on 9,000 feet altitude and above.

On the occasion, the Union Home Minister reviewed and took the salute of an impressive parade.

Singh also gave away medals and trophies to the ITBP personnel and Battalions.