Security up in Orissa ahead of I-Day

BHUBANESWAR - Security was tightened in and around areas of Maoist concentration in Orissa after the rebels gave a call asking people to boycott Independence Day celebrations Sunday, an official said Saturday.

State and central forces have been deployed in “vulnerable” areas of Malkangiri, Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal and Ganjam districts after Maoists asked people to observe the Independence Day as a black day, a senior state police official told IANS.

“Police patrolling has been intensified. Vehicles are being checked at all the entry points of the vulnerable areas,” he said.

“Additional police forces have also been sent to the affected areas so that the celebrations take place in the regions without any trouble,” he added.

Ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, the rebels blew up a panchayat office building in Malkangiri district Friday. Maoists blasted the building at Malavaram village using landmines when no body was inside.

The rebel fighters, who are active in more then half of the state, often target schools, police and panchayat buildings in interior areas.