Prez to address the nation on Republic Day eve

New Delhi, Jan 25: President Pratibha Patil will address the nation on the eve of the 59th Republic Day. The address will be telecast over Doordarshan in Hindi followed by English from 7 p.m. It will also be broadcast over All India Radio (AIR) channels. In addition, AIR will broadcast the regional language versions of the address over their regional channels from 9.30 p.m.

Security tightened in Delhi ahead of Republic Day: Security has been beefed up in the national capital ahead of the Republic Day in the wake of intelligence inputs that some terrorists may sneak into the city to strike during the celebrations. Around 15,000 security personnel have been deployed across the city. According to a senior police official, anti-sabotage and anti-explosive checks have been intensified, especially on the route of
the Republic Day parade.

Sharpshooters of paramilitary forces will be deployed on Rajpath as well as on other locations in Lutyen's Delhi. Mobile-hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and snipers will also be pressed into service, the official said. While patrolling in crowded market areas has been intensified, checking and frisking in metro, railway stations and bus terminals have been increased.

Security at the Indira Gandhi International Airport has also been strengthened.

ANI