Raipur :  In view of the warning issued by the union home ministry and a recent spurt in violence by the Maoists, the Chhatisgarh government has stepped up security in the state for Independence Day, top police officials said Tuesday.

Notably, the home ministry recently issued warnings to states facing Maoist insurgency. It said that ultras can execute major subversive incidents around Independence Day, as a spurt in their activities has been witnessed during the last week.

Director General of Chhattisgarh Police Anil M. Nawaney told IANS Tuesday: "The police headquarters has instructed all the district police superintendents to ensure fool-proof security arrangements for VIPs as well as top district administration officials and also to make elaborate arrangements to thwart Maoist ultras possible bid to perpetrate bloodshed on Independence Day."

According to Additional Director General of police, Chhattisgarh (Naxal Operations) Ram Niwas: "High alert has been sounded, specially in Maoist insurgency-hit districts of the state, as red ultras have executed a number of violent incidents during the last week and chances of a major subversive strike by them on the occasion of Independence Day can not be ruled out." In view of the high alert, the police have started checking of vehicles while borders of districts have been sealed.

Hotels, food joints, and guest houses are also under the police scanner to thwart any possible bid to smuggle in subversive materials. Extra police force along with personnel of Central Reserve Police Force are being deployed. In the state capital alone, more than 1,000 extra police and CRPF jawans will guard against any possible subversive activities.

Since the possibility of major violence is high in districts like Sukma, Balod, Gariaband, Kondagaon and Balrampur, special intelligence squads along with large number of para-military forces have been deployed in those districts. Besides, extra police force have also been deployed in Jagdalpur, Narayanpur, Bijapur and Kanker districts of Bastar region which have seen renewed spurt in Maoist violence in recent weeks.