To curb the movement of Maoists and anti-national elements across the porous Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders, the Centre on Sunday announced that the strength of the security force guarding the two frontiers would be almost doubled within two years.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who took the salute at the 42nd anniversary day parade of the Sashastra Seema Bal in New Delhi, also said the budget outlay for SSB had been increased by over 47 per cent, from Rs 360.49 crore in 2004-05 to Rs 532.77 crore this fiscal.
"I am happy to announce that the Cabinet has approved the raising of an additional 20 battalions, two sector and one frontier headquarters for the SSB," he said addressing the jawans.
At present, the SSB has 25 battalions, each comprising 1,000 personnel.
The SSB had requested the government for 20 more battalions for more effective patrolling of the 1,751 km-long Indo-Nepal and the 661 km-long Indo-Bhutan borders.
Influx of Nepalese Maoists into India has gone up sharply since the royal takeover in the Himalayan Kingdom. The activity of Pakistani agents in border areas has also increased, according to SSB officials.
While movement across the Indo-Bhutan border has declined after the Royal Bhutan Army destroyed a large number of training camps established by Indian militant outfits in its territory, intelligence reports suggest that ultras are trying to re-establish camps in Bhutan.
