Security beefed up for R-Day celebrations in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Jan 25 (PTI) Security has been stepped up in allthe sensitive areas of Chhattishgarh after the Maoists call toboycott and disrupt Republic Day celebrations in the naxal-hitstate, police said today.

In wake of the possible Maoist trouble, security measuresin naxal-infested districts have been heightened and a strictvigil is being kept on the inter-state borders to keep theR-day events incident-free, senior police officials said,

Chief Minister Raman Singh will be hoisting the nationalflag at Jagdalpur, headquarters of the restive Bastar region,in view of which additional forces have been deployed in thearea and police is on high alert, they said.

Governor Shekhar Dutt will unfurl the tri-colour atRaipur as part of the state''s main Republic Day function here.

He will take the salute and inspect the parade.

A host of patriotic programmes involving school childrenalong with tableaux, representing the state''s vibrant tribalculture, are scheduled on the occasion.

All the entry and exit points to the city will be underpolice surveillance. Also, tight arrangements have been madeat railway stations, airports, bus stands, restaurants andmajor centres to screen suspected troublemakers andanti-social elements, officials added.