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Heavy security for torch in Delhi Heavy security for torch in Delhi
(about 3 hours 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 16,000 police sealed off the city centre along the truncated relay route.Some 16,000 police sealed off the city centre along the truncated relay route.
Dozens of Tibetan activists were detained nearby, but the event passed off without the sort of anti-China demonstrations witnessed elsewhere.Dozens of Tibetan activists were detained nearby, but the event passed off without the sort of anti-China demonstrations witnessed elsewhere.
Earlier, Tibetan exile groups organised a peaceful alternative torch relay involving politicians and celebrities.Earlier, Tibetan exile groups organised a peaceful alternative torch relay involving politicians and celebrities.
India is home to the world's largest community of Tibetan exiles, as well as their government-in-exile and spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.India is home to the world's largest community of Tibetan exiles, as well as their government-in-exile and spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
Last week, India's foreign minister told his Chinese counterpart that the government would take steps to ensure the torch's safe passage.Last week, India's foreign minister told his Chinese counterpart that the government would take steps to ensure the torch's safe passage.
Secret timingSecret timing
The Indian press had described the capital as "Fortress Delhi" prior to the arrival of the Olympic torch from Pakistan on Thursday.The Indian press had described the capital as "Fortress Delhi" prior to the arrival of the Olympic torch from Pakistan on Thursday.
Apart from about 500 dignitaries and a group of school children invited to watch, the public was kept well away from the flame as it was carried 3km (1.9 miles) 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 flame as it was carried 3km (1.9 miles) along the Rajpath, from the presidential palace to India Gate.
DELHI TORCH ROUTE Route shortened by 6km on security groundsTorch carried along Rajpath from Presidential palace to India GateProtest march runs from Gandhi Memorial to Jantar Mantar Chinese bloggers' angerBig security - small protestIn Pictures: Delhi torch protestsIndia walks Tibet tightropeDELHI TORCH ROUTE Route shortened by 6km on security groundsTorch carried along Rajpath from Presidential palace to India GateProtest march runs from Gandhi Memorial to Jantar Mantar Chinese bloggers' angerBig security - small protestIn Pictures: Delhi torch protestsIndia walks Tibet tightrope
Three lines of police checkpoints guarded every entrance and exit to the ceremonial avenue and a cordon of Indian and Chinese security personnel in red and blue tracksuits surrounded the torchbearers at every moment.Three lines of police checkpoints guarded every entrance and exit to the ceremonial avenue and a cordon of Indian and Chinese security personnel in red and blue tracksuits surrounded the torchbearers at every moment.
The shortened route, which was cut to a third of its original 9km (5-mile) distance on security grounds, left the 70 runners, including celebrities and sport stars, only able to carry the torch for a few metres before having to pass it on.The shortened route, which was cut to a third of its original 9km (5-mile) distance on security grounds, left the 70 runners, including celebrities and sport stars, only able to carry the torch for a few metres before having to pass it on.
The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says that the atmosphere at the relay was sterile at best, with no members of the public to be seen at the start and only a small crowd sitting around an Olympic cauldron at the end.The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says that the atmosphere at the relay was sterile at best, with no members of the public to be seen at the start and only a small crowd sitting around an Olympic cauldron at the end.
Our correspondent says it was a day which probably left no-one entirely satisfied and the Olympic spirit rather tarnished.Our correspondent says it was a day which probably left no-one entirely satisfied and the Olympic spirit rather tarnished.
In the run-up to the ceremony, the authorities closed many main roads in central Delhi, creating huge traffic jams, and sealed off the area for five hours.In the run-up to the ceremony, the authorities closed many main roads in central Delhi, creating huge traffic jams, and sealed off the area for five hours.
Workers in the many government offices overlooking the route were told to look out of their windows to look because of the perceived security threat.Workers in the many government offices overlooking the route were told to look out of their windows to look because of the perceived security threat.
Security patrols in the surrounding area were issued with blankets and fire extinguishers in case protesters set themselves on fire.Security patrols in the surrounding area were issued with blankets and fire extinguishers in case protesters set themselves on fire.
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.
Tibet protestsTibet protests
Earlier in the day, hundreds of Tibetan exiles had taken part in their own, alternative torch relay in Delhi, chanting slogans against China as they set off from the mausoleum of India's independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi.Earlier in the day, hundreds of Tibetan exiles had taken part in their own, alternative torch relay in Delhi, chanting slogans against China as they set off from the mausoleum of India's independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi.
India's government promised to ensure the torch's safe passage through DelhiIndia's government promised to ensure the torch's safe passage through Delhi
The alternative torch arrived at end of its journey, the Jantar Mantar, surrounded by Tibetan flags and young men wearing headbands saying "Free Tibet".The alternative torch arrived at end of its journey, the Jantar Mantar, surrounded by Tibetan flags and young men wearing headbands saying "Free Tibet".
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.
There were also pro-Tibet protests on Thursday outside the Chinese consulate in the Indian financial centre of Mumbai, where at least 55 people were detained by police.There were also pro-Tibet protests on Thursday outside the Chinese consulate in the Indian financial centre of Mumbai, where at least 55 people were detained by police.
In the Indian Himalayan region of Ladakh, which borders Tibet, at least 5,000 Tibetan exiles and local Buddhists participated in a 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 participated in a march in the town of Leh.
About 50 Tibetan protesters were detained near the Chinese embassy in Delhi on Wednesday evening a few hours before the torch arrived. Last month, protesters managed to get into the heavily guarded building.About 50 Tibetan protesters were detained near the Chinese embassy in Delhi on Wednesday evening a few hours before the torch arrived. Last month, protesters managed to get into the heavily guarded building.
Several activists were later detained by police whilst protesting along the main road on which the torch was driven after arriving at the capital's airport before dawn. Others were detained outside the Chinese entourage's hotel.Several activists were later detained by police whilst protesting along the main road on which the torch was driven after arriving at the capital's airport before dawn. Others were detained outside the Chinese entourage's hotel.
In Nepal, more than 500 members of the Tibetan exile community were arrested in the capital, Kathmandu, during demonstrations near Chinese diplomatic buildings.
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.
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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
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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