Police have stepped up security on the kanwariya path after tip-off of Maoists planning attacks in the eastern Bihar districts.

The rebels started to observe martyrs’ week from Sunday. Sources said security has been increased on the path taken by the pilgrims on their way to Lord Baidyanath Temple in Jharkhand from Sultanganj.

The police have been directed to put in place additional security measures on the kanwariya path, passing through the inaccessible parts of Munger and Banka districts.

The rebels have also pasted pamphlets and posters in remote areas of the districts, appealing to the people to observe martyrs’ week.

Jitendra Kumar, inspector-general of police, Bhagalpur range, said: “Security has been beefed up in the remote forest areas of all the five eastern Bihar districts — Jamui, Lakhisarai, Munger, Banka and Bhagalpur, as the Maoists are observing martyrs’ week. Joint combing operations have been intensified in the border areas of Jamui, Lakhisarai, Banka and Munger.”