New Delhi: The Indian are observing Republic Day today, while the capital city has turned into a security fortress as thousands of armed personnel have been deployed, news agencies reported.Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is the chief guest at the function to mark the day.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) were scanning through the capital while snipers were deployed on rooftops as the security establishment fine-tuned its mechanism to ensure that the function goes without any untoward incident.
Around 35,000 police personnel, including 15,000 from paramilitary forces and elite National Security Guards (NSG) were already deployed across the city in the run-up to the celebrations.
A senior security official said UAVs of the Air Force are being deployed for surveillance besides the usual deployment of helicopters. “The UAVs will not only keep an eye on the parade route but entire Delhi,” the official said.
Ensuring air security and for the flypast, the airspace over the capital is closed for an hour from 11.15 AM to 12.15 PM.
Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters of the NSG are also on the job at various places while paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos were keeping a close watch along the route of the eight-kilometre long Republic Day parade from Raisana Hills to Red Fort.
Snipers are on top of the high-rise buildings while around 100 CCTVs were keep a tight vigil on people’s movement between Rajpath and Red Fort, the route of the parade which showcases India’s military might and cultural diversity.
A multi-layer security ring has already been put in place at Rajpath, where President Pratibha Patil will unfurl the tricolour and take the salute of marching contingents.
“There is a special emphasis on anti-sabotage checks, access control measures and intelligence coordination. The entire route of the parade will be covered by special security and anti-terror arrangements.
Meanwhile, leaders of All Parties Huryat Conference in Indian held Kashmir have announced to observe the Republic Day as a black day.
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