'The extent of the alert is the same as it was in the run-up to the Independence Day celebrations in the recent years. As on earlier occasions, extra forces have been mobilized,' he said.

Inspector General of Police (North Bengal) Kundan Lal Tamta said the border guards are on high alert at the borders with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan in the region.

'This is to ensure that no insurgent can sneak into the country from across the border. Important thoroughfares, including national and state highways, are under intense surveillance to thwart any bids by extremists to breach peace,' Tamta told IANS.

'There are a lot of police patrols. We are seeing to it that visibility of police is high so that it acts as a deterrent to mischief mongers,' he said.

People have been asked to keep a watch in their areas and report to police immediately if they find anything suspicious.