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Heavy security for torch in Delhi Heavy security for torch in Delhi
(30 minutes later)
The Olympic torch relay has completed the latest leg of its world tour in India's capital, Delhi, amid heavy security to protect it from protests.The Olympic torch relay has completed the latest leg of its world tour in India's capital, Delhi, amid heavy security to protect it from protests.
Some 15,000 police and paramilitary commandos sealed off the heart of the city along the truncated relay route.Some 15,000 police and paramilitary commandos sealed off the heart of the city along the truncated relay route.
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 men wearing headbands with "Free Tibet" on them, says the BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi.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 the Chinese government'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.
Tibetan exiles staged their own, alternative torch relay in DelhiTibetan exiles staged their own, alternative torch relay in Delhi
Symbolically, the alternative torch relay started at the mausoleum of the Indian independence leader and advocate of non-violent protest, Mahatma Gandhi.Symbolically, the alternative torch relay started at the mausoleum of 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 45 people were detained by police.There were also pro-Tibet protests outside the Chinese consulate in the Indian financial capital, Mumbai. At least 45 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.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
The official torch relay began later on Thursday, with the flame carried by about 70 runners, including celebrities and sport stars, for just a few seconds each along a shortened relay route downhill through Delhi's central thoroughfare.The official torch relay began later on Thursday, with the flame carried by about 70 runners, including celebrities and sport stars, for just a few seconds each along a shortened relay route downhill through Delhi's central thoroughfare.
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 was kept well away from the torch as it was carried along 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 was kept well away from the torch as it was carried along the Rajpath, from the presidential palace to India Gate.
Three lines of police checkpoints guarded every entrance and exit to the ceremonial avenue.Three lines of police checkpoints guarded every entrance and exit to the ceremonial avenue.
Our correspondent says that the atmosphere was sterile at best, with no members of the public to be seen at the start of the relay and only a small crowd waving Chinese flags at the end.Our correspondent says that the atmosphere was sterile at best, with no members of the public to be seen at the start of the relay and only a small crowd waving Chinese flags at the end.
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 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.
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.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 were 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 said beforehand."We have taken every precaution to ensure the event remains peaceful," Junior Home Minister Shakeel Ahmed said beforehand.
Tibet protestsTibet protests
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 had threatened to disrupt the event.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 had threatened to disrupt the event.
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.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.
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Protesters in Delhi as tensions simmer ahead of the torch's arrivalProtesters in Delhi as tensions simmer ahead of the torch's arrival
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 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.
Our correspondent 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.
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.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."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.""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".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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