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Delhi Melee Rocks Torch Arrival

Downtown locked down

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 17, 2008 4:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Olympic torch was greeted with furious protests as it arrived in Delhi today, and 15,000 security forces have locked down the heart of the city ahead of the relay, Reuters reports. Members of India's large community of Tibetan exiles have vowed massive protests to highlight China's human rights abuses. Dozens were arrested outside the hotel where the torch is being kept.

The flame's route through Delhi has been shortened and police are staying tight-lipped about the relay schedule. "We have taken every precaution to ensure the event remains peaceful," said a government spokesman. Major roads have been shut down and police patrols have been issued fire extinguishers to prevent protesters from setting themselves on fire.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

Indian tourists look at India Gate war memorial from a distance as the road is blocked off for security reasons ahead of Thursday's Olympic torch run at New Delhi, India, Wednesday, April 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)

Indian police officers await deployment orders on the route of the Olympic Torch relay near India Gate war memorial in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, April 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Police officers detain a Tibetan protester outside Le Meridian hotel where the Olympic flame is being kept after its arrival in New Delhi, India, Thursday, April 17, 2008. (AP Photo)

Tibetans protest outside Le Meridian hotel where the Olympic flame is being kept after its arrival in New Delhi, India, Thursday, April 17, 2008. (AP Photo)

Vice President of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games Jiang Xiaoyu, front left, and Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi, right, hold the Olympic Flame. (AP Photo)

Tibetan protestors shout anti China slogans, as they are detained by Indian police, enroute the airport, minutes before the Olympic torch was to arrive in New Delhi, India, Thursday, April 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

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Delhi Melee Rocks Torch Arrival