IANS

NEW DELHI THE capital will be under hawk-eye vigil in the run-up to the Republic Day, January 26, with 25,000 personnel being deployed for a massive ground-to-air security apparatus, police said on Saturday.

Snipers will be stationed atop high-rise buildings, while more than 160 CCTVs will keep a tight vigil between Rajpath and Red Fort - the parade route - Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Satyendra Garg told reporters.

Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters of the National Security Guard (NSG) will be deployed at various places along with paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos.

A multi-layer security ring is already in place at Rajpath, where President Pratibha Patil will take the salute from the parade.Elaborate security and traffic arrangements have been made for the full dress rehearsal on Monday, Garg added.

Thailand’s first woman Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who will arrive on January 24 on a three-day official visit, will be the chief guest at the Republic Day Parade, which will also be attended by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the country’s top political and military brass.

“A special emphasis is being laid 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,î said Garg.

“Enhanced security also comes against the backdrop of a terror attack at the Delhi High Court last September,î he added.

Besides air defence measures, Indian Air Force helicopters will hover over Rajpath and the parade route.

Security has been tightened at crowded markets, Metro and railway stations, bus terminals and the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.