Red alert as India set to celebrate Republic Day

Policemen from the Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) keeps vigil near the Bakshi stadium in Srinagar yesterday ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. PHOTO: AFP

The holiday has become a major target for Islamic militants and separatist rebels who say the celebrations are part of Indian hegemony and muscle-flexing.

The national capital, where President Abdul Kalam will take the salute at the historic Rajpath in the presence of the country's top leadership and chief guest Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has been placed under a multi-layered security blanket, police said.

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Security has also been beefed up at Indira Gandhi International Airport, vital installations, prominent hotels, tourist spots and other public places, a spokesman said.

The lawns around Rajpath have been under 24-hour guard for weeks while all buildings flanking the eight kilometre (five mile) route of the Republic Day parade will be taken over by security personnel on Monday, the Press Trust of India news agwency said.