Thursday, January 26 2006 10:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Patna: An alert has been sounded across Bihar in view of the nation-wide bandh called by the naxalites on the Republic Day tomorrow (Jan 26, 2006) state's Director General of Police Ashish Ranjan Sinha said today (Jan 25,2006).

"All police stations across the state have been asked to be on maximum alert in view of the bandh called by the naxalites. Patrolling by the central para-military forces and the state police has been intensified, particularly in the naxalite-hit districts", Sinha told sources.

He said patrolling has been enhanced on all national and state highways, railway stations, airports and other vital installations of the State and Central Governments.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who also holds the home portfolio, had told reporters on Saturday that intelligence inputs had been received about jehadi mercenaries crossing over from Pakistan into India to target vital installations, including the Patna airport, on the Republic Day.

He had asked the people to be cautious and alert in the wake of the intelligence inputs.

Senior Police Superintendent of Patna Kundan Krishnan said security was tightened at the airport and the entry of visitor into the Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport had been banned.