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Massive security in place for R-Day parade

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

A massive security ring is being thrown around the capital as it prepares for the first Republic Day of the new millennium.

The Delhi police, the ministries of defence and home and other concerned agencies are working overtime to put up a fool-proof security apparatus in place for January 26, which would be the most sensitive government function post-Kargil.

Intelligence agencies have flooded the Delhi police and other agencies with every possible warning, ranging from attacks using microlite aircraft and solar-powered rockets to high-profile kidnapping.

A panic-stricken Delhi police is deploying almost its entire strength of over 50,000 policemen in and around the city in an attempt to check any possible sabotage attempts by the Inter Services Intelligence.

Besides, a large number of army personnel and intelligence agents are being deployed for the occasion.

According to a senior police official, they have been asked to keep a close watch for microlite aircraft and solar-powered rockets, which have reportedly been smuggled into the city. "This is for the first time that we have been warned of such hi-tech attacks. We are not ready to take any chances," he said.

According to sources, no flights will be allowed to take off or land at the Indira Gandhi International Airport during the parade.

The Delhi police has asked the home ministry to provide an additional 40 companies of security personnel for the parade.

Near Raj Path, where the parade will take place, no vehicular movement will be allowed on January 26. Vehicular movement will also not be allowed on the route between Rajpath and Red Fort in North Delhi, to where the marching contingents will report for lunch.

The police have been warned of possible suicide squads and shoulder-fired missiles. The missiles with a range of about 5 km, are believed to have been smuggled into Delhi from Kashmir.

The police has already extended the security zone for the Republic Day, and has even included areas surrounding roads where the VVIP movements will take place. Guest houses in the capital are under surveillance already, and surprise checks for strangers in the city are being carried out.

Anti-aircraft guns are also being mounted in key places including all high-rises near Rajpath and Parliament. In fact, all buildings in and around Rajpath, Connaught Place and even near Red Fort will be sealed by the police on the evening of January 25.

The army, air force and naval installations in and around the capital have been put on high alert. Every visitor to these centres has to now undergo an intensive security check. The police and the Intelligence Bureau have formed combined teams to check every exhibit and tableau for the parade.

Sources said the police have also been alerted about some toys stuffed with RDX being smuggled into the city. Early this week, they had recovered some toys from a courier at Daula Khuan, but it is believed that some more toys have reached the city. There is no concrete proof of this.

Passes for the parade are being issued after an intense security check. In fact, every VIP pass being issued is in individual name, and journalists, senior government officials and political leaders are not being exempted from this.

A joint secretary of the home ministry, a senior official of the defence ministry and a senior police official will be positioned at a special counter at the venue.

According to sources, a request from the Prime Minister's Office for 100 blank VIP passes was turned down by the security agencies.

Special control rooms have been set up at the Indian Red Cross Society office and Nirman Bhawan to deal with any contingency. Beds have been reserved at hospitals for VVIPs and at least 300 bottles of blood are being kept ready to deal with any emergency.

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