Ranchi, Sept. 27: Jharkhand police have stepped up vigil along the borders in view of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections beginning on October 12 to prevent interstate movement of Naxalites and frustrate their design, if any, to disturb peace.

Security forces, in close coordination with their counterparts in the neighbouring state, have intensified combing operations in bordering districts of Chatra, Koderma, Palamau, Sahebganj, Godda, Deoghar, Dumka and Garhwa, among others.

In Garhwa, police picked up a former Maoist rebel, Bhola Singh, from Kharondi area during an operation last evening.

Garhwa SP Priyadarshi Alok claimed that Bhola figured as a named accused in more than 10 incidents of Naxalite violence in the district alone. "The ongoing search operations along the borders may lead to more such arrests soon," he added.

Palamau SP M.K. Patel said senior officers of Jharkhand and Bihar police and CRPF would hold a meeting in a few days to work out a concrete action plan to fortify the borders. "Search operations are going on in full swing," he added.

Koderma SP Naveen Kumar Sinha said operations had slowed down for a couple days as the available forces had to be deployed in thickly populated urban and semi-urban areas to ensure peaceful festivals last week.

"However, the forces are coming back to their usual posts to strengthen anti-Naxalite operations. There has been no untoward incident in the district during the past week," he added.

Sources in the Jharkhand police headquarters said the steps had been taken following a directive from the Union home ministry, which had around a fortnight ago asked all states sharing borders with poll-bound Bihar to maintain foolproof security during the upcoming high-pitch electoral battle and festivities.

A senior officer of Jharkhand police said: "With the Bihar polls and Durga Puja both around the corner, security forces are not leaving any stone unturned to keep rebels at bay. Intelligence agencies are also keeping tabs on Maoists' activities."