180 arrested as Olympic torch travels through Delhi

Olympic torch protests have taken place around the world

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Thursday, 17, Apr 2008 01:52

Around 180 Tibetan protestors have been arrested today as the Olympic torch makes its way through the Indian capital Delhi.

Security has been extremely high in the city, with around 16,000 police officers and military personnel lining the torch's route, as organisers try to prevent protests of the scale seen in western cities in recent weeks.

India has a large number of exiled Tibetans and protests have taken place in the country since March, when demonstrations in Tibet were repressed by China.

A senior police officer confirmed to the AFP news agency that arrests had been made during today's relay.

"We gave around 170 to 180 people in custody," the police officer said.

Police said that another 46 people have been arrested in Mumbai after they tried to storm the Chinese consulate.

India's Economic Times earlier claimed that there would be a three-layer security ring provided for the torch's procession, including the controversial Chinese commandos.

The paper reported that about 175 companies had been used for security arrangements across the torch's route.

Protests in the country prompted Indian officials to cut the route to a third of the intended 9km distance.

It will now be taken from Vijay Chowk to India Gate.

"By speaking out when the Chinese government brings the Olympic torch to India, you will send a strong message to Tibetans, to the Chinese government, and to the world, that Indians support the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan people's nonviolent struggle for freedom and justice," the Associated Press quotes the group Students for a Free Tibet as saying.

Protests around the world stem from anger at China hosting the 2008 Olympics, with concern over the country's human rights record and its crackdown on Tibetan demonstrations at Chinese rule.