Скачать или смотреть Security preparations ahead of Russian president's arrival

(25 Jan 2007)
1. Wide of security at India Gate, (which symbolises Indian soldiers who died in World War I) the venue of Friday's Republic day parade, with traffic passing by in the foreground
2. Security standing behind a barricade, India Gate in background
3. Close-up of security guard
4. Police vehicle
5. Various of security guard with rifle standing in bunker
6. Security guards walking in front of barricaded road
7. Various of security guard behind barricade
STORYLINE :
Indian security forces manned road blocks and snipers took up positions on government buildings in the Indian capital on Thursday to prevent possible attacks by militant groups ahead of India's national day police officials said.
Much of downtown New Delhi surrounding the route of an annual parade that forms the highlight of celebrations to mark India's Republic Day was sealed off and officials announced the metro rail service would be partially shut for several hours on Friday.
Security was also increased as Russian President Vladimir Putin was scheduled to arrive on Thursday for a two-day visit.
Putin was going to be the chief guest at Friday's parade.
Police officials said at least 15,000 police and paramilitary soldiers had been deployed around the city.
Officials acknowledged that there were no specific threats but the spate of deadly attacks in India in 2006 warranted the extra security.
In 2006, there was a bombing at a temple in the Hindu holy city of Varanasi and the Mumbai rail bombings that killed more than 200 people.
Several separatist groups in Indian-controlled Kashmir and India's restive northeast have called for strikes on the national day.
Although India gained freedom from British colonial rule in 1947, the Republic Day, which falls on January 26, marks the adoption of the country's democratic constitution in 1950.

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