Security beefed up across Chhattisgarh for Republic Day

Security has been tightened across Chhattisgarh, particularly in Maoist-affected areas, for the Republic Day celebration on Sunday, police said.

A police official said the Tricolour will hoisted amid heavy security in some one dozen interior villages in insurgency-hit Bastar division for the first time since Independence. These villages include Potali (Dantewada), Kademeta (Narayanpur), Bodli (Bastar), Kunna-Dabba (Sukma) and Duta (Kanker) of Bastar region, he added.

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On Saturday, the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered two IEDs, planted by Naxals, in the forest of Kanker district. "The IEDs, weighing 2 kg each, were placed beneath a dirt track near Kotri river. They were later destroyed by Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS), an official said.

"High security is being maintained in the entire state mainly in the Bastar division to thwart any Naxal activity during the Republic Day celebrations," a senior official said. He said security personnel were keeping an eye on suspicious movements near government establishments as well the state border near Bastar.

Maoist pamphlets asking people to stay away from Republic Day celebrations have been found in the region during the last one week. A state government official said Governor Anusuiya Uikey will hoist the national flag in the morning at the Police Parade ground in Raipur, while Chief Minister Bhupesh will take part in a Republic Day function in Jagdalpur, the headquarter of Bastar district.

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