Fearing suicide attacks byterrorists or by Maoists ahead of Independence Day, a high-security red alert has been sounded across Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state.
The alert follows a report from the Home Ministry to the state for keeping a "strict vigil" along the long and highly porous Uttar Pradesh-Nepal border, from where infiltration by terrorists and Maoists is feared.
Principal Home Secretary Satish Kumar Agarwal and Director General of Police Bua Singh have issued a joint signed circular to all district magistrates, superintendents of police and other key officials to ensure round-the-clock vigil at all important installations and public places.
A senior official of the home department said: "The central government's report pointedly accused Pakistan of attempting 'to once again use Nepal as a conduit for infiltrating its agents into India."
The Uttar Pradesh government has asked district magistrates to hold meetings with the heads of religious places, institutions as well as managers of public places like cinema halls, theatres, shopping malls, hotels, schools, colleges, airports, railway and bus stations to ensure appropriate safety measures.