Chhattisgarh Steps Up Security For Independence Day; Flag To Be Hoisted In Maoist Areas

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will hoist the national flag and receive the guard of honour from the state police and paramilitary forces at the parade ground, the public relations department official said.

Security has been stepped up in Chhattisgarh, particularly in Maoist-affected areas, ahead of Independence Day with intensified patrolling and other measures to prevent any untoward incident, police said on Saturday. Inspector-General of Police (Bastar range) Sundarraj P said the tricolour would be hoisted in several interior villages in South Bastar and the Abhujmaad region, considered as strongholds of Maoists, on Sunday. Bastar division comprises seven districts namely Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Kanker and Bastar. "Security forces deployed in the Naxal-hit Bastar region are regularly carrying out patrolling, laying mobile check posts in the interior area as well as along inter-district and inter-state borders to avoid any untoward incident by ultras," Mr Sundarraj told PTI.