Raipur Jan 25 PTI Security has been beefed up in all sensitive areas across Chhattisgarh in light of the Republic Say celebrations on Wednesday police said on Tuesday Flag hoisting ceremonies will take place in interior villages where security camps are located in the insurgency-hit Bastar region an official said Governor Anusuiya Uikey will hoist the national flag at the Police Parade ground in capital Raipur while Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will take part in the celebrations at Jagdalpur the headquarters of Bastar district he said The state police and central security forces deployed in the Bastar range are on high alert to ensure peace and order in the region during the Republic Day celebrations Inspector General of Police Bastar range Sundarraj P told PTI Over 14 new security camps were set up in interior areas such as Karigundam Kollaiguda Nahadi Minkapalli Pungarpal etc in the region comprising seven districts in the last one year he said The tricolour will be hoisted in villages near these camps Besides Republic Day will be celebrated by security personnel and locals even in other core areas of the region in keeping with the COVID-19 protocols the official said The camps have lived up to the expectation of the native population by not only creating a secured environment in the region but also facilitating the development works the IG said Security forces have been asked to keep an eye on suspicious movements near government establishments and at interstate borders he said We hope the Republic Day celebrations will strengthen the fabric of nationalism and patriotism even in areas which were once considered Maoist stronghold he said Meanwhile the state government has completed preparations in all the districts to observe Republic Day an official from the public relation department said The states main function will be held at Police Parade Ground in the capital where the governor will hoist the national flag at 9 am and receive the guard of honour from contingents of the state police and paramilitary forces he said There will be no cultural programmes during the functions in Raipur and other district headquarters while all preventive measures such as wearing of masks and physical distancing will be strictly followed the official added PTI TKP ARU ARU

Raipur Jan 21 PTI Expressing concern over the rise in COVID-19 casualties Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has instructed health officials to conduct an audit of deaths due to the infection an official said The state has reported 82 deaths in the last 10 days due to the infection and comorbidities the official said The state on Thursday reported 15 deaths the highest single-day fatalities since the cases started increasing early this month The chief minister has expressed serious concern over the sudden increase in the number of deaths due to COVID-19 the official from the state public relations department said After receiving information about 15 deaths Baghel directed the principal secretary of the health department to ensure that an audit is conducted for each of the casualties he said Baghel also directed all district collectors to remain alert and strictly monitor the situation in view of the rising deaths he added As per an official release the chief minister has directed senior administrative officers to ensure that proper arrangements are in place to prevent the spread of infection and to provide better treatment facilities to the infected persons Instructions have been given to hospitalise patients based on their health condition and collectors have been asked to ensure strict adherence of COVID-19 guidelines and monitor the health of patients in home isolation it said Till Thursday the state had recorded 1081178 COVID-19 cases which includes 13697 casualties and 1035745 recoveries There are currently 31736 active cases in the state PTI TKP ARU ARU

Raipur Sep 22 PTI More than 174 crore COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered so far to eligible beneficiaries in Chhattisgarh since the launch of the nationwide inoculation drive in January an official said on Wednesday More than 129 crore people have received the first dose of the vaccine while 4521 lakh have taken both jabs the official from the states public relations department said A total of 17440152 vaccine doses have been administered to people in the state till Tuesday he said At least 310208 healthcare workers have been vaccinated with the first dose of which 257299 have also received their second dose the official said Similarly 318104 frontline workers FLW have taken the first dose and 246993 have been fully vaccinated he said In the above 45 age category 5646848 beneficiaries have been vaccinated with the first dose and of them 2605741 have got their second jab as well he said As many as 6643564 people have received the first dose of vaccine in the age group of 18-44 while 1411395 have been fully vaccinated the official added As per official figures till Tuesday Chhattisgarhs had recorded 1005120 COVID-19 cases including 13563 deaths and 991260 recoveries The state is now left with 297 active cases PTI TKP ARU ARU