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New Delhi: Finally the most talked about Olympic Torch made its run at India Gate in the national capital. Though there were speculations and fear that the Tibetan protesters might create disturbances and hurdles in the relay, nothing such was reported and the whole run is stated to be peaceful.
Earlier, it arrived in the Capital at around 1.00 am (IST) today from Pakistan on a special aircraft. Delhi has practically been converted into a garrison with the deployment of over 15,000 security personnel from Delhi Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Commandos of National Security Guard (NSG). On the other hand, not less than 5,000 Tibetans would be out on roads holding a parallel run in the Capital to register their protest against "the Chinese oppression in Tibet".
So, the security system is ready to facilitate the safe relay of the torch, and the torture that is keeping pace with the Indian authorities, the protesters and the people having some feelings for the Olympic and Tibet, both.
As soon as the torch arrived in the capital, it was immediately taken in an army vehicle to an undisclosed place with hundreds of security personnel escorting it. But, that did not deter a crowd of mere 20-odd Tibetan activists, who were protesting at National Highway-8 from raising slogans against China seeking United Nation's intervention in the matter. They were, however, detained by the police late into Wednesday-Thursday night.
As Tibetans living in India have vowed to protest during Thursday's Olympic torch relay, the government is leaving no stone unturned for the security of the event. About 16,000 forces supported by air-surveillance have been deployed to ensure an uninterrupted Olympic Torch relay, which would have a truncated run of 2.3 Kilometres from Rashtrapati Bhawan to India Gate in the afternoon. This run will also be watched by twenty Chinese Commandos at Rajpath.
 | | Rajpath in fences to facilitate the Torch relay |
The Olympic flame will be carried by about 70 celebrities, including 47 sportspersons amid a Republic Day-type multi-layered security system in place in the Capital. Giving this information, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President Suresh Kalmadi said that of the chosen 47 sportspersons 18 have been nominated by official partners of the Olympic Games.
Besides, China will have five torch-bearers today running in the national capital. Among the celebrities, Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Chuck-De girl Sagarika Ghatge will be carrying the torch along with athletic legend P T Usha and Milkha Singh and tennis star Leander Paes. Anju Bobby George will also be among others to lend her hand to the torch.
Meanwhile, the Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic, S N Srivastav said that the road leading from Rajpath to Rashtrapati Bhawan will remain closed from 2.00 pm (IST) till the relay is over. Even the Metro Rail services would remain closed in some parts of the Capital for five hours starting from 2.00 pm (IST). Before the motorcade carry the torch to its destination, there will be a brief ceremony at a city Hotel Le-Meridian.
The Torch Relay will proceed from Rashtrapati Bhawan to India Gate via Vijay Chowk, Rajpath up to Prince Place and lawns of India Gate. A cultural program is scheduled to be held at India Gate by Chinese and Indian artists. After the conclusion of the function, the torch will leave for its next destination. The torch will stay in India for about twenty hours.
Regarding parallel torch relay by the Tibetans, Delhi Police said, "We are going to facilitate that relay as well". Meanwhile, forty-seven Tibetans including 16 females were arrested on Wednesday. They were booked under Section 107/151 of CrPC (which is a preventive arrest without any charges). They will be released soon after the relay is over, informed the Delhi Police. | 
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