Olympic torch met by Delhi protests
About two dozen Tibetan exiles arrested along torch route.
Published On 18 Apr 2008
Several of them were forcibly detained and taken away in police vans.
India ‘tiptoeing’
Matt McClure, Al Jazeera’s correspondent in New Delhi, said: “Authorities are sort of tiptoeing a tightrope if you would.
| Your Views |
|
Could the Tibetan protests derail China’s plans for a smooth run-up to the Beijing Olympics? |
“India is obviously the world’s largest democracy, protests are a regular part of life here, but they are also eager not to offend their Chinese neighbours as they try to expand trade ties.
“The route has been shortened and every effort has been made to prevent any disruption of the event.”
The torch has been beset by protests through Europe and the Americas, mostly over a Chinese crackdown in Tibet.
Tibetans planned to hold a parallel torch relay on Thursday to protest against Chinese action and demand Tibet’s independence.
The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader, meanwhile, has voiced his support for the Beijing Games and has urged Tibetans to desist from disrupting the torch relay.
The torch was in neighbouring Pakistan on Wednesday.
Source: Al Jazeera, News Agencies