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Delhi braced for torch protests Heavy security for torch in Delhi
(about 1 hour later)
A huge security operation is under way in India's capital, Delhi, to protect the Olympic torch from protests on the latest leg of its troubled world tour. The Olympic torch relay has begun the latest leg of its world tour in India's capital, Delhi, amid heavy security to protect it from anti-China protesters.
Some 15,000 police and commandos have secured the heart of the city along the truncated route of the torch relay. Some 15,000 police secured the city centre along the truncated relay route before it began at 1630 (1100 GMT).
India is home to the largest community of Tibetan exiles, as well as its government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama.India is home to the largest community of Tibetan exiles, as well as its government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama.
Earlier, Tibetan exile groups organised an alternative torch relay involving Indian politicians and celebrities.Earlier, Tibetan exile groups organised an alternative torch relay involving Indian politicians and celebrities.
That torch arrived at end of its journey, the Jantar Mantar, surrounded by Tibetan flags, cameras and young Tibetan men wearing headbands with "Free Tibet" on them, says the BBC's Chris Morris. That torch arrived at end of its journey, the Jantar Mantar, surrounded by Tibetan flags, cameras and young men wearing headbands with "Free Tibet" on them, says the BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi.
Tibetans have been holding protests in the square for several weeks to highlight their opposition to China's policies in their homeland. Tibetans have been holding protests in the square for several weeks to highlight their opposition to the Chinese government's policies in their homeland.
Symbolically, the alternative torch relay started at the memorial to the Indian independence leader and advocate of non-violent protests, Mahatma Gandhi. Tibetan exiles staged their own, alternative torch relay in Delhi
Symbolically, the alternative torch relay started at the memorial to the Indian independence leader and advocate of non-violent protest, Mahatma Gandhi.
There were also pro-Tibet protests outside the Chinese consulate in the Indian financial capital, Mumbai. At least 50 people were detained by police.
In the Indian Himalayan region of Ladakh, which borders Tibet, at least 5,000 Tibetan exiles and local Buddhists reportedly participated in an anti-China march in the town of Leh.
Secret timingSecret timing
Later on Thursday, the official Olympic torch relay will be carried by about 70 people, including celebrities and sport stars, along a shortened route through the centre of Delhi. The official torch relay began later on Thursday, with the flame due to be carried by about 70 runners, including celebrities and sport stars, along a shortened relay route through the centre of Delhi.
DELHI TORCH ROUTE Indian officials announce on 3 April that route will be shortened on security groundsTorch to be carried along Rajpath from Presidential palace to India GateProtest march runs from Gandhi Memorial to Jantar Mantar Chinese bloggers' angerIn Pictures: Delhi torch protestsIndia walks Tibet tightropeDELHI TORCH ROUTE Indian officials announce on 3 April that route will be shortened on security groundsTorch to be carried along Rajpath from Presidential palace to India GateProtest march runs from Gandhi Memorial to Jantar Mantar Chinese bloggers' angerIn Pictures: Delhi torch protestsIndia walks Tibet tightrope
Apart from about 500 dignitaries and a group of school children invited to watch, the public will be kept well away from the flame as it is carried along the ceremonial avenue, the Rajpath, from the Presidential palace to India Gate. Apart from about 500 dignitaries and a group of school children invited to watch, the public is being kept well away from the flame as it is carried along the ceremonial avenue, the Rajpath, from the presidential palace to India Gate.
Our correspondent, who is at the ceremony, has described the scene as sterile and joyless, with the many flag-waving Indian dancers and Chinese cheerleaders having nobody to entertain.
The route was earlier trimmed to a third of its original 9km (5-mile) distance on security grounds.The route was earlier trimmed to a third of its original 9km (5-mile) distance on security grounds.
The authorities have also closed many main roads in central Delhi in the run-up to the ceremony, creating huge traffic jams, and sealed off the area for five hours. The authorities also closed many main roads in central Delhi in the run-up to the ceremony, creating huge traffic jams, and sealed off the area for five hours.
Police have also ordered workers in the many government offices overlooking the route not to look out of their windows to look at the ceremony because of the perceived security threat. Workers in the many government offices overlooking the route were told by police not to look out of their windows to look at the ceremony because of the perceived security threat.
Security patrols have meanwhile been issued with blankets and fire extinguishers in case protesters set themselves on fire. Security patrols were meanwhile been issued with blankets and fire extinguishers in case protesters set themselves on fire.
"We have taken every precaution to ensure the event remains peaceful," Junior Home Minister Shakeel Ahmed told reporters. "We have taken every precaution to ensure the event remains peaceful," Junior Home Minister Shakeel Ahmed said beforehand.
No exact times have been given for the relay amid fears of protests by India's 100,000-strong Tibetan exile community, some of whom have threatened to disrupt the event. Tibet protests
Around 50 Tibetan protesters were detained near the Chinese embassy a few hours before the torch arrived in the capital from Pakistan on Thursday. No exact times were given for the relay in advance amid fears of protests by India's 100,000-strong Tibetan exile community, some of whom have threatened to disrupt the event.
Advertisement Around 50 Tibetan protesters were detained near the Chinese embassy a few hours before the torch arrived in the capital from Pakistan on Thursday. Last month, protesters managed to get into the heavily guarded building.
Protests took place in Delhi ahead of the torch relay Protests take place in Delhi ahead of the torch relay
The flame was received at Delhi's airport by Suresh Kalmadi, the chief of the Indian Olympic Association, and was then driven along a route into the city lined with hundreds of police to a luxury hotel. Several protesters were detained outside. The flame was received at Delhi's airport by Suresh Kalmadi, the chief of the Indian Olympic Association, and was then driven along a route into the city lined with hundreds of police to a hotel. About two dozen protesters were detained.
The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says the Indian authorities are desperate for this difficult day to be over. Our correspondent says the Indian authorities are desperate for this difficult day to be over.
Other cities preparing to receive the torch are also making preparations following the chaotic scenes in London, Paris and San Francisco.Other cities preparing to receive the torch are also making preparations following the chaotic scenes in London, Paris and San Francisco.
In the Australian capital, Canberra, police have been given extra powers to search those watching the relay for items such as guns and knives.In the Australian capital, Canberra, police have been given extra powers to search those watching the relay for items such as guns and knives.
There are fears of clashes between Chinese supporters and Tibetan groups protesting about their rights, with both sides planning to have a large presence at the Australian relay event next week. The Chinese government has meanwhile appealed for understanding over the actions of the torch's controversial security guards, who have been criticised for being heavy-handed with protesters.
"Relevant countries should have a clear understanding of the rules of the escorts and understand their work," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said.
"They have used their bodies to protect the torch, so their acts should be praised and the violent acts of those Tibet independence elements be condemned."
Ms Jiang said that providing security escorts for the torch had been common practice during previous Olympic Games and that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had "given its 100% support".
OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the world Torch arrives in Macau on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official siteOLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the world Torch arrives in Macau on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official site
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