NEW DELHI, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Indian police have made massive security arrangements for this year's Republic Day parade celebrations where leaders of 10 Southeast Asian nations are expected to attend as chief guests Friday.
Officials have said apart from huge deployment of security forces in the national capital, commandos and snifers will be stationed along the route of the Republic Day parade -- Rajpath facing Rashtrapati Bhawan (president's official residence) -- on Jan. 26.
"Threat perception is high, that's why we have taken all precautions. Rooftops along the route of the parade have been sanitised and commandos stationed," B.K. Singh, additional commissioner of Delhi Police, told the media.
Another senior security official said Monday that the focus would be not only protecting the 10 heads of state from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), but ensuring they reach the venue on time from their luxury hotels without any hassle.
"The stage where the 10 world leaders will seat alongside Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be fully enclosed by bullet-proof glass and the elite Special Protection Guard will be in close quarters of Modi," he said.
ASEAN nations include Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.
