Nepali Congress activists hold placards and shout slogans during a demonstration protesting against the Maoist blockade in Kathmandu. (AFP)

Aug. 22: Maoist rebels have put up a notice asking villagers in Nepal’s Ilam district, on the border with Darjeeling, to vacate their homes for a week from September 1, sending police to scurry for cover as it fears a renewed offensive using Indian territory.

The notice states that people residing in Pashupatinagar, Aithabara and its adjoining areas should move out between September 1 and September 7.

The police fear that the guerrillas, who have called a blockade in the Himalayan kingdom, could launch an offensive against the administration and the police during this period.

Darjeeling superintendent of police Rajeev Mishra said: “A state of alert has been declared in some areas. We want to send reinforcements to such places so that the rebels are prevented from using Indian territory for their activities.”

However, Mishra added, there was no information “as of now” of Nepalese residents crossing the border.

A meeting of senior officials was held at Dali in Darjeeling on Friday during which precautionary measures were discussed.

Darjeeling police are wary after the Maoists used Indian territory to provide cover fire during an attack at Pashupatinagar, in Nepal, on April 8.

“We will ensure that such a thing does not happen again. Apart from that, we cannot do much as it is their affair,” said Mishra.

Many believe that after the success of the Pashupatinagar attack, during which over 40 police personnel were taken hostage and an administrative building burned down, the rebels are regrouping for another show of strength.

In Siliguri, senior district police officers met on Friday and yesterday to discuss strategies to prevent the guerrillas from operating from Indian territory.

The outcome of the meetings was conveyed to the Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Suraksha Bal (SSB) and the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau.

The meetings stressed on the need for effective gathering of humint and sharing of intelligence between the police and security agencies.

The G-Branch of the BSF and the area wing of the SSB have been modified to tackle the Maoist threat. The SSB has been specially deployed to man the Nepal border. The intelligence units have been asked to provide inputs on Maoist sympathisers on either side of the Nepal border.

The meeting also drew up a plan to provide better coordination among members of the task force comprising BSF, SSB and central IB officials.