NEW DELHI, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- India's Interior Ministry asked all states to step up vigils and strengthen security arrangements ahead of Republic Day on Jan. 26.
The ministry, while issuing advisories to all states, stressed that care should be taken to see no panic is created in the process. In a letter sent to interior secretaries and directors general of police, the ministry asked the states to strengthen security arrangements at places of public gathering that are prone to attack by terrorists and Maoists.
"The advisory has been issued by the ministry to step up security arrangements," said an Interior Ministry spokesman Friday. He said the ministry was keen to avert terrorist strikes as militant groups send signals of a possible attack on occasions like the Republic Dayand Independence Day (Aug. 15).
The ministry, in the advisory, asked the states to bolster security at vital installations, transport systems, including railways and the Delhi Metro, and crowded markets. The states were also asked to take special measures to protect VIPs. Security is also being increased at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and other national airports, the spokesman said.
