Govt alerts Naxal-hit states against possible violence

New Delhi, Jun 21 (PTI) In the wake of a 48-hour bandh
call by CPI(Maoist), the Central Government of India on Sunday
sounded an alert to five Naxal-hit states warning them against
possible "demonstrative acts of violence" by Left wing
extremists.

The alert was issued by Union Home Ministry specifically
to Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal,
among other states following an intelligence input.

The inputs have been shared with the states who have been
asked to take "precautionary and pre-emptive measures".

"The CPI(Maoist) has given a call for a 48-hour bandh on
June 22 and 23 in Bihar Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and
West Bengal.

"There are intelligence inputs that the CPI(Maoist) may
indulge in demonstrative acts of violence by targeting
security forces and economic infrastructure such as trains,
buses, railway and bus stations and other places where people
are likely to gather in significant numbers," Additional
Secretary (Naxal Management) in Home Ministry D R S Chaudhary
said in a statement.

"All other state governments have also been alerted," the
statement said.

The government has also asked security personnel to
remain vigilant against IEDs and landmines which have targeted
them earlier, killing a number of them.

"While every effort will be made to maintain law and
order, it is requested that people should cooperate with
police and other security personnel and remain vigilant," it
said. PTI AKV