In the backdrop of Mumbai terror attacks and intelligence inputs about possible strikes, security will be beefed up for Republic Day celebrations in Delhi with 20,000 gun-toting policemen being stationed across the city ahead of the national event.
Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dadwal said the security establishment does not want to take any chance ahead of the prestigious event, especially after the Mumbai terror attacks which claimed over 200 lives.
"After Mumbai attacks, we are not taking any chances. There are inputs about possible strikes. We are making tight arrangements for the event," Dadwal told a press conference in New Delhi.
Around 20,000 police personnel, including 5,500 from paramilitary forces, and mobile hit teams will be deployed across the city ahead of Republic Day, when the country showcase its military might. Electronic surveillance will also be increased.
It has also been decided to intensify checking at borders and night patrolling, Dadwal said. There will be intensive checking not only in New Delhi district but also across the capital.
"Please, bear with us...the situation is like that. We are vigilant and lot of steps are being taken. We would like
to have the maximum security," the commissioner said.
A meeting of the heads of police forces in Delhi and adjoining areas have already reviewed the security preparations in the National Capital Region and decided to increase sharing of intelligence and information regarding criminals and gangs operating in the region.
A multi-layer security ring will also be thrown around Rajpath, where President Pratibha Patil will unfurl the
tricolour and take the salute of marching contingents.
Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters of the elite National Security Guards will be deployed at
various locations while paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos will keep a tight vigil along the route of the
parade, sources said.
Directions have been sent to all police heads in the National Capital Region to ensure that calls made to any of the Police Control Rooms in the region regarding a crime falling in the jurisdiction of another force should "immediately be shared" with the concerned PCR.
Around two dozen sub-inspector level officers serving in the intelligence wing of various terror and naxal-hit states
are being deployed in the capital to help city police to gather and share information regarding suspicious people from
their respective areas.
A senior police official said sub tnspectors from Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andhra
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh are already here and surveying the city to gather information about potential trouble-makers.
"Deployment of local level officers in the city ahead of the Republic Day celebrations will help in identifying trouble-makers from particular states," the official said.
When asked whether the antecedents of the policemen to be deployed are being checked, the official said every measure needed to ensure foolproof security is being taken.
The security establishment has already placed a detachment of fighter planes at the Indian Air Force base in
Hindon near the Delhi border to provide air-defence.
Tightening the security apparatus, police will install around 100 CCTVs on the route of the parade by this weekend to keep a watch on the movement of people a week ahead of the event.
According to city police's plans, 22 CCTVs will be placed till January 26 on the 1.5 km Rajpath, where country's top
political and military brass will be present when India showcases its military might.
Two dedicated monitors shall be provided at the saluting base for a doctor who will monitor the VVIPs for emergency
support, the official said adding another 18 CCTVs will be installed at entry points to Rajpath, saluting base and behind the VVIP's entry gate.