Visible security upgradation in Delhi for R-Day

New Delhi, Jan 25: Security was tightened throughout the national capital today in view of 58th Republic Day celebrations tomorrow.

It seemed all of Delhi Police was involved in the massive security and traffic arrangements for Republic Day, Beating Retreat and Martyrs Day.

More than 15,000 police and paramilitary personnel and 200 Police Control Room vans, manned by commandos, would be strategicly placed across the capital, a top Delhi Police officer said.

In view of the recent reports of women suicide bombers and insurgents infiltrating the city, the Centre held a comprehensive security review on January 23.

The high-level meeting, chaired by Home Secretary V K Duggal, reviewed the security scenario in view of not only the Republic Day but all major events that will occur between January 26 and January 30 which include visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Despite no specific intelligence inputs on security threats to the visiting President, Delhi Police, in association with central agencies, was concentrating on two specific modes, car bomb and assault attacks, in its 'special arrangements' inventory for the parade even as the capital had been put on high alert.

In the wake of several terrorists arrested last year and the July 11 Mumbai train blasts, extra precaution was being taken for the visiting dignitary with the deployment of several companies of central security forces besides the Delhi Police and others.

The city police was laying special emphasis on anti-sabotage checks, access control and intelligence coordination. The entire route of the parade from Vijay Chowk to Red Fort would be covered by special security and anti-terrorist forces in coordination with the army, National Security Guards and Intelligence Bureau, Additional Commissioner of Delhi Police Dipendra Pathak said today.

Elaborate air defence measures have also been taken to check any intrusion from the air during the Republic Day celebrations.

Besides, air defence measures, close-circuit cameras and helicopters would maintain air surveillance all along the parade route.

Besides, more than 100 Indo Tibetan Border Police commandos and NSG Hit and Sniper teams would be deployed.

Checking in metro, railway stations and Inter-State Bus terminals had also been beefed up. Frisking at cinema halls had been intensified and security at the airport had been increased by the Central Industrial Security Force.

As a counter terrorism measure, special drives have been launched in all districts in the national capital to check possible hideouts/ shelters of terrorists. An intensive drive for verification of tenants had been initiated. Regular checking of all guesthouses, hotels and cyber-cafes was being conducted to ensure that the guidelines issued to them were being scrupulously followed.

Close coordination was also being maintained with the neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana and joint raids had been conducted at possible hideouts. The arrangements at border posts were being further strengthened in coordination with the adjoining states to check the entry of undesirable elements into the city.

As a part of security arrangements for the Republic Day, services of Delhi Metro would be partially curtailed on January 26 and rail traffic over Tilak Bridge would also be temporarily suspended for one-and-half hours between 10.30 to 12.00 hrs.

UNI