Indian capital locked down for tense torch relay

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

NEW DELHI (AFP) — India's capital was barricaded and flooded with police and soldiers on Thursday for the latest and most sensitive leg of the protest-hit Beijing Olympic torch relay.

With India home to more than 100,000 Tibetan refugees, including exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and radical youth groups, authorities have kept their plans for the scaled back relay route a closely guarded secret.

Indian police have voiced fears that in a bid to draw attention to China's crackdown on unrest in Tibet, activists may resort to the most extreme form of protest -- setting themselves on fire in front of TV cameras.

"Self-immolation bids by protesters are a major worry," a police official said. Reports said police were equipped with blankets and fire...