With Maoists stepping up activities in the wake of a joint operation, the Orissa government has issued an advisory to its ministers, urging them not to undertake road journey at night in Naxal-infested districts, official sources said.
"In the existing scenario, it is imperative to apprise political leaders, including ministers, to avoid road journey during odd hours of night, especially in Maoist-infested areas," a Special Branch report to the home ministry said.
Based on the report, necessary advisories have been issued to all ministers and other important dignitaries, a senior official said.
"There is a possibility of extremists targeting VIPs during the road journey by placing explosive devices on roads or carrying out an ambush in dense forest, hilly terrain," he said.
The home ministry, through the parliamentary affairs department, has also issued 'dos' and 'don'ts' for ministers, legislators and Parliamentarians in order to streamline the security arrangements.
"Please strictly adhere to the instructions in order to avoid any untoward incident," the letter issued to the VIPs said.
The security advisory to the ministers came in the wake of a landmine explosion at Gobindpalli Ghat in Koraput district on April 4, in which at least 11 security personnel were killed. Hours before the Maoists triggered the landmine at Gobindpalli Ghat, two state ministers had undertaken a road journey through the same road late in the night, after campaigning for a local urban body election in Malkangiri district, said the police.
Though the state government had issued circulars, guidelines and security instructions, it was observed that some ministers have not been adhering to the guidelines, the special branch said. Therefore, the ministers were asked not to attend any unscheduled programmes without prior intimation to the district superintendents of police, inspector general of police or deputy IG, it said.
"Ministers, MLAs and MPs in Naxal-affected areas are provided with personal security officers. Always move with them," the guideline said, adding that the route of the movement should not be publicised in advance.
The ministers and politicians were also asked not to have unscheduled stoppages, another official said.
