Hundreds of thousands of security personnel deployed ahead of Independence Day festivities

On 14 August 2008 Indian officials began deploying hundreds of thousands of security personnel to various locations in India ahead of Independence Day festivities on 15 August. Approximately 70,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed in New Delhi for the annual Independence Day speech by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Security was also increased at religious sites around the country, reflecting concerns about religiously motivated violence in view of the ongoing unrest in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.