(From top) Paroo BJP MLA Ashok Singh, Minapur JD (U) MLA Dinesh Kushwaha and Sahebganj JD (U) MLA Raju Kumar Singh. Telegraph pictures

Muzaffarpur, Jan. 13: Police have advised legislators from Maoist-hit districts against venturing into the interiors of their constituencies on thanksgiving tours as they fear the rebels could use the functions to plot a strike.

Ministers and members of the Legislative Assembly, who have registered a resounding victory in the polls, have been on a whirlwind tour of their constituencies to thank their electorate. But the police suspect that the rebels, taking advantage of the large number of felicitations organised by the voters, would strike.

Senior police officials have asked politicians to not venture out of their homes to meet their electorate in Naxalite-hit constituencies without armed bodyguards.

Assistant superintendent of police (west) Vikas Barman asked JD (U) MLA Raju Kumar Singh not to go to Binni village on the evening of January 10, to meet voters. A source said Singh and Paroo BJP MLA Ashok Singh were on the hitlist of the rebels. The Maoists had in fact threatened both of them with dire consequences, over the phone. JD (U) MLA from Minapur Dinesh Kushwaha is also under threat from the Maoists.

Senior superintendent of police Sunil Kumar has advised ministers, MLAs, MPs and MLCs to remain vigilant when they visit their constituencies.

The netas have also been advised not to stray out of their homes after sunset, in the wake of increased Maoist activities. A source said Kumar issued the directive after an intelligence tip-off.

Kumar told The Telegraph that the men-in-uniform were anxious about the free movements of the Maoists in the western parts of the district. Ministers and MLAs have been asked to inform the local police station before going out to meet the electorate.

Barman carried out a cordon-and-search operation in several villages of the district that share their border with Motihari, Chhapra and Gopalganj to flush out the Maoists.

A source said members of the banned outfit have been engaged in enlisting fresh recruits from areas like Paroo, Sahebganj, Saraiya, Minapur, Sakra, Kudhani and Shivaipatti.

They have also been training the recruits in Chaki-Suhagpur and Usti-Singhai villages under Paroo police station.