Wednesday, January 25 2006 10:50 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: A special alert has been sounded throughout West Bengal in view of the Maoist call to boycott Republic Day.

IGP (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said yesterday(Jan 24,2006) that special precautions were being taken to protect Government offices and vital installations.

A special security net would also be thrown around important railway stations, airports, institutions of national importance, important organisations, police barracks and places of interest, Kanojia said.

"Additional deployment of forces would be made in Maoist prone Purulia and Bankura districts and which witnessed strikes recently," he said.

The IGP said that the police in the districts had been asked to assess the situation and determine the nature of security needs. They have also been instructed to keep watch on the day's functions in schools, colleges and offices.

Posters calling for boycott of Republic Day celebrations have also recently surfaced in Belpahari in West Midnapore district.