All security arrangements in place for R-Day parade

New Delhi, Jan 23 (UNI) Security in the Capital bristles with life as Republic Day preparations reach completion with all arrangements in place for the smooth conduct of the January 26 celebrations.

Senior police officials said the blueprint of the security set-up for the Republic Day parade was now being kept out of bounds for all information seekers, though a fool-proof system was in place to deal with any eventuality.

''This step has been taken in view of the new guidelines issued to deal with the security of VIPs and the people in general.'' Conceding that the threat perception had increased in coming years, though no specific threat reported this year, the official said it was now a cat and mouse game with newly devised strategies being kept under wraps.

''The government has now decided against taking any chances in regards to security matters because earlier lapses led to domino effect that caused demoralisation among the forces.'' Another official while outlining the regular drill of the security beef-up, said the intricate specifics were not to be disclosed owing to ''orders from above''.

''The reason being the details tend to alert the perpetrators and often they have to be altered.'' While conceding that the ''real set-up details'' never gets out in the public domain, the officer said much of the things even earlier were kept secret.

''The final details on security concerning VIPs or important occasions were neither disclosed nor were ever likely to be told to anyone except the officers concerned.'' What actually comes in the newspapers is a bunch of regular exercise to infuse a sense of security among the people and not to help ''terror activists'' he added.

''action'', he added.

Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said the Delhi Police was all geared up to face any eventuality and was ready for all the challenges thrown before it.

''The DP force, in association with other security forces, has braced itself for the Republic Day parade and all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the occasion passes off peacefully.'' 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, he said, adding that random checking had already been initiated three days before for checking the inflow of subversive material.

''We have mobilised all resources at our disposal to ensure that the event passes off smoothly and people remain safe.'' UNI AN SB PK BD1748