Security stepped up nationwide for R-day, red alert in J

New Delhi, Jan 24: An elaborate security cover was thrown over the nation today to prevent any untoward incident during the Republic Day celebrations tomorrow with a red alert being sounded in Jammu and Kashmir. Elaborate security arrangements were put in place in the national capital for the smooth conduct of the January 26 parade.

All government offices and buildings were sealed this afternoon as part of the security drill. The Delhi Police force, in association with other security forces, had braced itself for the Republic Day parade and all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the occasion passed off peacefully, Delhi police said. ''Since no specific threats were on the table before us, the focus this year has been on the VIP movement, parade route and vital installations,'' police said, adding that random checking had already been initiated three days before for checking the inflow of subversive material.

In view of the high degree of threat perception, general strike call given by separatists and recovery of RDX and IEDs, a red alert has been sounded in the Kashmir valley to foil any militant plan to disrupt the Republic Day (RD) celebrations tomorrow.

Meanwhile, more than 60 known trouble makers, anti-national elements and former militants were taken into preventive custody since yesterday in different parts of the valley. Roads leading to Bakshi stadium, the venue for main RD function in the summer capital, were closed for traffic since yesterday morning for security reasons.

Security forces had blocked all roads near the stadium with barbed wire and also parked bullet proof vehicle bunkers in the middle of the roads to thwart any fidayeen attack on or before the RD function.

In Uttar Pradesh police have deployed additional Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) companies at sensitive places to thwart any attempt to create disturbances during Republic Day celebrations in the state. Police dog squads and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS) were carrying out random checks to detect and diffuse explosives planted by terrorists.

Special security drive is being undertaken at all the railway stations and important trains passing through the state. Police patrolling has been intensified in the communally sensitive pockets while special security has been made at all the markets, shopping malls, cinema halls and other busy places of the state.

Besides, security along the 391 km long international border with Nepal in Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Balrampur, Shravasti and Bahraich districts of the state has also been beefed up. Security has also been tightened in Ranchi with special vigil on railway properties in Jharkhand. Police said the Superintendents of Police of the 24 districts had been directed to keep extra vigil in the sensitive areas.

Besides, the jawans from the Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP) had been deputed at various places in the state capital to avert any untoward incident.With a view to thwarting any eventuality and frustrating the boycott call of tomorrow's Republic Day celebration by ultra outfits, elaborate security arrangements were put in place all over the Northeast. Massive security arrangements have been made across Assam with all parade grounds turned into virtual fortresses in view of the insurgent outfits, including the ULFA, having called for a boycott of the Republic Day in their 'ritualistic' fashion.

Official sources said security had been tightened at all places, especially near the vital installations, bus and railway depots and airports.

Checking of all vehicles and frisking of passengers have been undertaken throughout the state. Night train movement has also been suspended to avert any possible militant strike.

All entry points into the major towns and vital installations in Tripura were under the close vigil of the security personnel.

Armed police force has been deployed in sensitive areas with sniffer dogs and bomb squads pressed into service for extensive search operation in public places.

Four militant outfits from Tripura, Asom and Manipur had given a call to boycott the Republic Day and observe it as 'black day'.

Elaborate security measures have been put in place and police have intensified counter-insurgency operations to thwart any attempt to disrupt tomorrow's Republic Day celebrations in Manipur.

The Army, Assam Rifles, Border Security Forces, CRPF, IRB and all available forces would be utilised tomorrow for security purpose.

Security measures were also tightened in Meghalaya in view of the boycott call of Republic Day by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council(HNLC), official sources said.

Central Paramilitary Forces and police personnel were deployed at various places of the city. Police commandoes were checking all vehicles passing through the city and Meghalaya-Assam border to detect movement of insurgents who might infiltrate in the state capital to disrupt the celebrations.

BSF personnel guarding the porous Indo-Bangla border were also directed to keep an extra vigil to thwart attempts by North East-based militants to sneak into India from their hideouts in Bangladesh.

Keeping in view the congregation of VIPs in the Republic Day celebration at Paljor Stadium, a massive security blanket had been thrown in the capital town of Sikkim.

Commandos had been deployed for the security of the VIPs.

Policemen in plain clothes were deployed in Gangtok and all hotels were being thoroughly checked to prevent the presence of any sinister element.

Security forces had thrown a security blanket over Mumbai ahead of the 59th Republic Day.

Police sources said though their is no specific security threat, there will be routine check-ups tonight as well as tomorrow, during which police will keep a vigil on public places, Railway stations, Bus stations, while other combining operations as well as Naka Bandi will also be organised.

In Tamil Nadu more than 2,000 police personnel would be deployed in all vital installations like Railway stations, bus depots and all other important places, where people would congregate in large numbers.

Patrolling was intensified and maintained round-the-clock and check posts were installed in all the entry points of the state.

Security has also been beefed up in Chennai airport and the entry of visitors had been banned.

UNI