MHA alerts Naxal-hit states ahead of 'martyrs week'

The Union home ministry has asked Naxal-hit states and the Railway authorities to tighten security in public places and properties to foil any attempt by the Maoists to strike during the 'martyrs week' beginning on Wednesday.

In an advisory to West Bengal, Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Maharahstra, the home ministry asked them to deploy additional security personnel in sensitive and public places to deal with any subversive attempt by the extremists.

The MHA also asked the Railway ministry to ensure proper security to trains and passengers travelling through Naxal- affected states and deploy additional guards in bridges and railway stations.

The advisory has been sent in the wake of the Communist Party of India-Maoists observing 'martyrs week' from Wednesday to August 3.

The ultras have killed at least 100 policemen in Chhattisgarh since April and derailed an express train in West Bengal that claimed the lives of nearly 150 people.

According to an estimate, about 40,000 sq km areas in Naxal-affected states are under the control of Maoists.

Naxal violence has claimed the lives of over 10,000 civilians and security personnel in the last five years.

Out of a total of 10,268 casualties between 2005 and May this year, 2,372 deaths have been reported in 2009 as against 1,769 in 2008 and 1,737 in 2007.