The Hindu : New Delhi News : High security on Republic Day

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

High security on Republic Day

By Our Staff Reporter

The King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, in New Delhi on Tuesday. The King will be the Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade on Rajpath today. Photo: V. Sudershan. (See also Page 12)

NEW DELHI, JAN. 25. In view of intelligence reports of possible terrorist strikes by Maoist groups and other militant outfits, elaborate security arrangements have been made for the Republic Day celebrations here in the Capital on Wednesday. While more than 20,000 police officers and personnel would be deployed along the Parade route, over 200 commandos and snipers would be deployed at strategic locations.

After the recovery of some telescopic-guns from high-rise buildings in Kolkata a few weeks ago, which were apparently planted by extremist groups to target "specific people", the police here have as a precautionary measure decided to further expand the security cordon. While they have virtually sealed several buildings in Connaught Place, most buildings along the Parade route have also been "sanitised''.

During the Parade, snipers would be deployed on the roofs of these buildings. A three-tier security arrangement has been made for the India Gate-Vijay Chowk stretch in view of VIP movements. The newly installed long- range cameras as part of a pilot project would also be used to keep surveillance in the New Delhi area and ITO.

According to the Special Commissioner of Police (Security), B.K. Gupta, adequate air defence measures have been taken to check any intrusion of the air space and to avoid any missile attack. Apart from the Air Force and the Army, two Assistant Commissioners of Police would carry out air surveillance on-board helicopters. Security at vital installations has been planned in coordination with other security and Central intelligence agencies.

In other parts of the Capital, the Police Control Room (PCR) staff and the local police have been put on alert. The police said for the past one month they have been carrying out combing exercises and tenant verifications in search of subversive elements, if any. Car dealers were also asked to be wary of selling vehicles to any suspicious-looking person.

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