India celebrates Independence Day amid tight security
By Jawed Naqvi
NEW DELHI, Aug 15: India celebrated its 60th Independence Day on Wednesday amid customary tight security, but unlike the previous year when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke of improving ties with Pakistan and other neighbours, the focus this year was on domestic issues, chiefly rural welfare.
Haltingly reading a speech in Hindi, which was written in the Urdu script, Dr Singh said: “I sincerely believe that in the prosperity and well-being of our neighbours lies the key to our own security and progress.”
Without naming any country, Dr Singh said India wanted good relations with all other nations, big and small, countries in the East, West, North and South.
As he spoke, the outlawed north-eastern ULFA group triggered four bomb blasts close to venues of national day functions in Dhubri and Bongaigaon districts of Assam, Press Trust of India said. The explosions left two people wounded as state leaders appealed to the separatists to abjure violence.
Reports said a cache of arms and explosives was seized from an ULFA camp in a forest in Sibsagar district hours before the celebrations began in the state.
In occupied Jammu and Kashmir, calm prevailed as gun-wielding security force personnel patrolled the streets.
Dr Singh spoke from behind bullet-proof glass. A multi-layered security cover was thrown round the national capital with police and paramilitary forces keeping a close vigil against feared terror strikes. Top Indian officials have spoken of late about increased chances of Al Qaeda targeting the country.A massive ground-to-air security mechanism was put in place with over 10,500 paramilitary personnel besides the Delhi police guarding the city. A no-fly zone was declared around the Red Fort where Dr Singh unfurled the Indian flag and addressed the nation.
During the entire function, Indian Air Force helicopters patrolled the skies to prevent any aerial threat from militants. Security was stepped up at railway stations, subway train stations, bus terminals and other important places in the capital. Barricades were put at several places to regulate traffic and stringent checks of vehicles were carried out at all entry points into the city.
NEW DELHI, Aug 15: India celebrated its 60th Independence Day on Wednesday amid customary tight security, but unlike the previous year when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh spoke of improving ties with Pakistan and other neighbours, the focus this year was on domestic issues, chiefly rural welfare.
