Patna: Chief minister Nitish Kumar will not keep his date with Maoist-hit Rehal village in Rohtas district on January 13, supposedly over security concerns.

Nitish will visit Susadhi village in Amethi panchayat of the district's Sanjhauli block instead of Rehal under Nauhatta block of the district, around 165km southwest of Patna.

The earlier venue, part of Nitish's "Vikas Karyon ki Samiksha Yatra", a state-wide tour to review the implementation of development schemes, was changed after a team of police officials from Patna visited Rehal village on the Kaimur plateau and submitted a report.

In 2002, Maoists had gunned down then divisional forest officer of Rohtas, Sanjay Singh, over the government's interference in their activities.

"The village (Rehal) is about 1,600-feet above sea level and surrounded by forests.

The village is considered to be a hotbed of for rebels.

In addition, bad weather condition (dense fog) might hinder safe landing of chopper on the plateau," a senior police official said on condition of anonymity.

On Thursday, a team of officials from Rohtas, including district magistrate Animesh Kumar Parashar and superintendent of police Manavjeet Singh Dhillon, visited Susadhi, around 18km north of Sasaram, district headquarters of Rohtas, and took stock of preparations for the VIP's visit.

District public relations officer (DPRO) of Rohtas Devbrat Mishra said the chief minister's itinerary has already reached the district headquarters and adequate security measures were being taken up as a precautionary measure. He confirmed the district officials' visit to Susadhi.

Rohtas district magistrate Parashar, however, said the chief minister could visit Rehal on January 22.

"As of now we have not received any official confirmation about his visit to Rehal," he told The Telegraph over phone from Rohtas.

Nitish was earlier scheduled to inaugurate a solar energy plant that will light up all 135 houses, a police station building, girls' hostel and panchayat bhawan at Rehal.