Rocket and missile launching systems are displayed during the Republic Day parade in New Delhi yesterday.

Agencies/New Delhi

India celebrated its 65th Republic Day yesterday amid tight security as a series of bombings were reported in the northeastern state of Manipur.

In the national capital, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at a military parade. More than 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel were deployed across the city to prevent terrorist attacks.

Suspected militants triggered four blasts in Manipur capital Imphal ahead of the state’s Republic Day parade.

No casualties were reported, and bomb experts were searching various areas of the city for explosives that may have been planted by militants, police said.

The parade in New Delhi showcased India’s military might and cultural diversity with colourful floats highlighting festivals from different states.

Among military hardware on show were missiles, an unmanned aerial vehicle and a multi-launcher rocket system.

Snipers from the elite commando National Security Guards were positioned on high-rise buildings along the 8km parade route.

It was the coldest Republic Day in a decade at 9.9 degrees Celsius, forcing commoners and dignitaries alike to cover themselves in layers of protective clothing.

For Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, it was his 10th and probably last Republic Day parade in office as he has announced that he would step down after the general elections due by May.

The day passed off peacefully in Jammu and Kashmir amid heightened security measures.

Governor N N Vohra hoisted the national flag in Jammu while Rural Development Minister Ali Mohamed Sagar did the same in Srinagar. A strike called by separatists, however, affected life in the Kashmir Valley.

India’s commercial capital Mumbai witnessed a dazzling Republic Day celebration, with a colourful parade at a new location - the picturesque Marine Drive.

In Kolkata, West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan unfurled the tricolour and took the salute at a colourful march past by security forces and students.

The simmering tensions over the Telangana issue did nothing to dampen the Republic Day spirit in Andhra Pradesh. Besides the official functions, all political parties marked the day in their own way.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal used the occasion in Ludhiana to demand a redrafting of the constitution, saying the powers of the states had been eroded over the years by successive central governments.

Also in Punjab, Border Security Force (BSF) officers and troopers offered sweets to the Pakistan Rangers at the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar and at Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district.

In Haryana, the main function was held in Gurgaon, adjoining New Delhi, where Governor Jagannath Pahadia hoisted the national flag.

In Karnataka, Governor H R Bharadwaj hoisted the tricolour and inspected an impressive parade in capital Bangalore.

The day was celebrated across Tamil Nadu, with Governor K Rosaiah presiding over the main event at the Marina beach in Chennai.

Republic Day was celebrated with enthusiasm in Rajasthan. Governor Margaret Alva unfurled the national flag in Jaipur and witnessed a parade and colourful cultural shows.

In Kerala, Governor Nikhil Kumar said the government was committed to the welfare of the diaspora.

Braving bone-biting cold, people celebrated the day across Himachal Pradesh. The main attraction in Shimla was a 13-member band of reformed prisoners from two jails - in Kanda near Shimla and Nahan.

Bihar Governor D Y Patil hoisted the tricolour in Patna, and lauded the state government for combating corruption and crime.

After unfurling the national flag at Cuttack, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked people to remain wedded to secular values.