NEW DELHI, June 25: With Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav's belligerence showing no signs of abating and his skills at rabble-rousing taken note of, Union Home Secretary K Padmanabhaiah today stepped in to take stock of the security situation in the state.

He held discussions with Bihar Chief Secretary P C Verma on the fluid situation in the wake of the charge-sheet against the Chief Minister in the Rs 950 crore fodder scam and the rejection of his anticipatory bail plea by the special judge.

Paramilitary forces staged a flag march in the city's sensitive areas today. At least 24 companies have been deployed in the state. Advani's rath yatra is scheduled to enter the state tonight and the security forces do not want to take any chances, said Director General of Police S K Saxena. The Centre had sanctioned 27 companies of paramilitary forces for the state.

The entire New Capital division which houses the residences of the Chief Minister and Governor has been cordoned off to prevent any eventuality.

``We are watching the situation and barring one or two stray incidents, there is no problem with the law and order as of now,'' Padmanabhaiah said after being briefed by Verma.

Padmanabhaiah said that contingents of paramilitary forces had been deployed even at the district level as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, in Patna, Laloo Prasad today moved the designated special court of Central Bureau of Investigation for anticipatory bail in six other cases.

Judge S K Lal rejected the anticipatory bail application of the Chief Minister earlier filed, and also those of two of his Cabinet colleagues, Bholaram Toofani and Vidyasagar Nishad, besides, former union minister C P Verma.

Lal in his order said, ``there appears to be prima facie involvement of the petitioners in the scam and thus their petitions are not allowed.'' In his application, Laloo had apprehended arrest by the agency.

The judge said the CBI had charged the Chief Minister with willful negligence of duty as well as extending patronage to the scamsters involved in the fraud.

Yesterday the court had rejected the bail application of Congress leader Jagannath Mishra and others.

The CBI today furnished all relevant papers and documents as directed yesterday by the court for taking cognizance of the chargesheet against Laloo. Talking to newspersons, CBI Joint Director (east) U N Biswas said that the court was satisfied with the documents and the papers were back with the CBI.

He said that the court is not bound to take cognizance on the same day. Biswas also called on Bihar Governor A R Kidwai at Raj Bhavan today. What transpired at the meeting was not known.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.