Hyderabad, Jan 26 (Inditop.com) With intelligence agencies warning of a possible terror attack, a tight security blanket was thrown around the venue of the main official Republic Day function in the Andhra Pradesh capital Tuesday.
At the Secunderabad Parade Grounds here, over 1,000 policemen were deployed as part of the massive security arrangements as Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan unfurled the national tricolour to celebrate the country’s 60th Republic Day.
The governor took the salute and reviewed a colourful parade by 21 contingents of Indian Air Force, defence establishments, police, home guards and NCC. Tableaux by various government departments highlighted the development and welfare schemes in the state.
Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, his cabinet colleagues, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, senior civil and defence officials attended the function and paid homage at the martyrs memorial.
Assembly Speaker Kirankumar Reddy and legislative council chairman Chakrapani hoisted the national flag at the assembly and council respectively.
At Gandhi Bhavan, the headquarters of ruling Congress party, the tricolour was unfurled to mark the Republic Day. State Congress chief D. Srinivas recalled the services of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash in September last year. Srinivas said various welfare schemes launched by YSR had become a model for the entire country.
The day was also celebrated at NTR Trust Bhavan, the headquarters of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party. Since TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu is abroad, party vice-president Lal Jan Basha unfurled the national flag.
Senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu hoisted the tricolour at the party office. The Republic Day celebrations were also held at the offices of the Praja Rajyam Party and Lok Satta.
Patriotic fervour marked the celebrations in all 23 districts of the state. The national flag was unfurled on all government buildings and schools while people paid tributes to the freedom fighters and martyrs.
