Rajnath tells SSB to avoid social media messages

New Delhi, Sep 18 (ANS) Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday cautioned troopers of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) against messages being circulated on social media and warned them not to believe them unless their authenticity is verified.

"As you (SSB) have the responsibility to guard an open border, I want to draw your attention towards social media. I feel that several unnecessary information are circulated on social media which do not have any basis. People generally believe such information and forward it," the Home Minister said while launching the new intel set-up of SSB here.

"I appeal to all SSB troopers not to believe the authenticity of such information they get on their mobile phones and WhatsApp until it is properly verified."

Rajnath Singh said there are several anti-national and anti-social elements who try to take forward such wrong activities by circulating them through messages on social media that are very dangerous for any society and country.

"I think, there is a necessity to be cautious and avoid such activities," he said.

The Minister further stressed the need to do more for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), saying "what has been done for CAPFs is still not enough, there is need to do more for them".

Reiterating his earlier statement, the Minister said the kin of every deceased CAPF personnel should be given not less than Rs 1 core as compensation and that the facility has been started from 2016.

Rajnath Singh promised to initiate a new scheme which will help CAPF troopers whose family suddenly faces any big problem and they are not able to handle it.

"Our next attempt is to provide some help to the family of a CAPF trooper whose family faces any special kind of problem which he can not handle. I am thinking of it and will definitely do something for it."

"I think, if you (CAPF officers) take care of the family of any martyr, you would not only perform your duty but also earn their blessings."

On the occasion, he launched a full-fledged Intelligence Wing of SSB which is mandated to guard the India-Nepal and India-Bhutan borders.

In a bid to enhance operational efficiency, the Home Ministry in July had given approval to creating 650 combatised posts for the intelligence set-up in the 96,500-strong SSB.

The 650 posts in various ranks range from battalion to headquarters levels.

The Intelligence Wing personnel would be deployed along the 1,751-km India-Nepal and 699-km India-Bhutan borders where there are no restrictions on the movement of people on either side.

SSB Director General Archana Ramasundaram said the Intelligence Wing was required due to cross-border movement of criminals and anti-national elements in the context of visa-free regime on these borders.

As most stretches of the border see activities of Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence, Indian insurgent groups, Maoists, fundamentalists, smugglers of arms and ammunition, narcotics, Indian Fake Currency racketeers and human traffickers, the wing will really help in keeping a proper tab on these, she said.

On the occasion, the Home Minister also launched the Welfare and Rehabilitation Board (WARB) app and distributed scholarships to the children of SSB personnel killed in the line of duty.

The mobile app is available on Google Play store and is user-friendly, the SSB DG said.

"The app contains various useful features to facilitate retired CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) and Assam Rifles personnel to get their genuine grievances redressed, seek skill development training through the National Skill Development Corporation under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, re-employment and other relevant and important information," she added.

"It will also help retired personnel to have better coordination with WARB and its field formations at states, union territories and district level."