Cities put on high alert

NEW DELHI: Security was tightened across the country for the Republic Day celebrations. With intelligence inputs suggesting a Lashkar-e-Taiba strike, Delhi will see an extensive and elaborate security cover for the Republic Day parade with over 18,000 policemen deployed to secure the parade route from Vijay Chowk to Red Fort on Tuesday.

The increased security comes in the backdrop of reports of terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba planning a strike using para-gliders. The military has taken measures to prevent an airborne attack on the parade where President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be accompanied by South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak, who will be the guest of honour at the celebrations, and other dignitaries.

A ground-to-air security apparatus is expected to be in place complete with anti-aircraft guns, quick reaction teams, and commandos of the National Security Guard, who will be deployed at various points. Also helicopters of the Indian Air Force will be deployed around Rajpath and along the route of the parade.

Paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos will also keep a close watch along the parade route. Snipers will be deployed at high-rise buildings, while around 105 CCTVs have been installed along the route between Rajpath and Red Fort.

A multi-layer security ring will be in place at Rajpath, where the President will unfurl the flag.

In the backdrop of the hijack alert across the country, the CISF has also been put on high alert at the domestic and international airports in the run-up to the Republic Day. Security at the Indira Gandhi International airport was also strengthened. Stringent traffic arrangements will also be in place for the duration of the Republic Day parade with Metro services curtailed.

Apart from Delhi, a number of other states and cities have also been put on high alert. Mumbai was put on high alert with security drill being carried out by the police at all the entry and exit points of the city. With the Mumbai attackers accessing the city by sea, the Indian Coastguard and the Indian Navy have increased coastal patrols.

Other cities like Agra have also been put on high alert, while tight security arrangements have been made across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh for the Republic Day celebrations. Security was also tightened in the Northeast states after militant outfits called for a boycott of celebrations.