People not allowed to take mufflers, caps at Republic Day venue

NEW DELHI: People were not allowed to carry mufflers and black caps or any such headgear as part of security restrictions at Rajpath during the Republic Day celebrations.

According to a police official, people who had arrived the venue to witness the Republic Day celebrations were asked leave such items behind before entering the parade enclosures following inputs of a possible Maoist disruption during the event.

Authorities had banned the black headgears fearing that they may be used for a show of protest during the event, where US President Barack Obama was the Chief Guest.

As people were not allowed to enter the parade venue with caps and mufflers, a pile of woollens was collected at the entry gates.

Also, hundreds of visitors were forced to stand outside the venue till the programme got over, as all exit routes were sealed soon after the parade started at 10 AM.

"Extra caution was taken while making security passes for the police personnel on duty, as there were inputs that terrorist may try to get in using fake IDs. The police had the right to refuse entry without explanation," said the official.

Obama is the first American president to be chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations.

Around 2,000 security personnel were deployed at the main stage, where Obama, President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi were seated.