RAIPUR, India, Jan 16 (Reuters) - At least seven members of the Indian security forces have been killed by landmine explosions in the central insurgency-hit state of Chhattisgarh, police said on Tuesday.

The blasts, in forests in the Narayanpur area about 290 km (470 miles) south of Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur, were caused by at least three landmines which police said were planted by Maoist rebels.

"We have a total seven casualties, four paramilitary troopers and three district police force," said Girdhari Nayak, the state's inspector general of police.

Nayak said the rebels had laid a trap, luring security forces to the area by telling them, falsely, that a local villager's body was lying in the forest.

The guerrillas -- who say they are fighting for the rights of millions of poor peasants and labourers and of landless tribals who live in the forests -- operate in at least 13 states in southern, western and central India.

The anniversary of the founding of modern India as a republic in 1950 is due in 10 days, and has in the past been marred by rebel attacks.

During Republic Day last year, Maoists set off bombs across eastern India, killing at least two people, but official celebrations went ahead anyway.

Police in New Delhi have arrested 39 landlords for failing to provide details about their tenants, part of a drive to root out suspected terrorists before Republic Day.

Increasing migration from rural communities to the sprawling city of 14 million has prompted police to check tenants' identities with landlords, who are legally obliged to provide authorities with tenants' details.

"The arrests are part of the intensified anti-terrorist drive ahead of our Republic Day," said New Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat, adding that there was no specific threat of an attack.

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