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Torch reaches locked-down Delhi | Torch reaches locked-down Delhi |
(10 minutes 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. | 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. |
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 and commandos have secured the heart of the city along the truncated route of the torch relay. |
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. | |
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. | |
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 China'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. | Symbolically, the alternative torch relay started at the memorial to the Indian independence leader and advocate of non-violent protests, Mahatma Gandhi. |
Secret timing | Secret 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. | 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. |
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 | |
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. | |
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 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. |
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. | 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. |
Security patrols have meanwhile been issued with blankets and fire extinguishers in case protesters set themselves on fire. | Security patrols have 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 told reporters. |
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. | 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. |
Around 50 Tibetan protesters were detained near the Chinese embassy a few hours before the torch arrived in the capital from Pakistan on Thursday. | Around 50 Tibetan protesters were detained near the Chinese embassy a few hours before the torch arrived in the capital from Pakistan on Thursday. |
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Protests take 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 luxury hotel. Several protesters were detained outside. |
The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi says the Indian authorities are desperate for this difficult day to be over. | The BBC's Chris Morris in Delhi 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. | 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. |
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 site | 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 site |
Are you going to the torch relay? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Are you going to the torch relay? You can send us your experiences using the form below: |
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
If you have a large file you can upload here. | If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |