The recent unrest in Leh that resulted in massive mob violence has brought an important issue to the fore — security of the border areas and threats posed to them not only from the enemy across the border but also from within.

Over the last five decades, we have seen deliberate attempts to create tensions and carry out subversive activities in the bordering states of India such as Assam, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, many north-eastern states, West Bengal. The cross-border support to such activities is well-known.

The latest additions to this list over the last few years have been Manipur and now Leh in the union territory of Ladakh. During ‘Operation Sindoor’ also, the residents of border areas in Jammu and Kashmir faced casualties and loss of property due to indiscriminate shelling by Pakistan Army from across the border violating international norms.

That brings us to the larger issue of ‘border management’ in India and also raises the question: “Is border management only an administrative task or duty of the government? Or, does society also have to play an important role in this?"

India has 15,106.7 km of land border and a coastline of 7,516.6 km including island territories. The length of our land borders with neighbouring countries is: Bangladesh (4,096.7 km) China (3,488 km), Pakistan (3,323 km) Nepal (1,751 (km),........

© News18