New Delhi : Ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s offficial visit to Delhi, security has been beefed up in the city and the police have cordoned off certain areas keeping in mind cdemonstrations by the Tibetans.
At least four companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), with around 400 armed personnel, have been deployed outside the Chinese embassy in Chanakyapuri diplomatic enclave.
“Following an order from home ministry, four RAF companies were deployed outside Chinese embassy today (Wednesday). The RAF will be in place till Thursday,” a Delhi Police officer requesting anonymity told IANS.
Two RAF companies along with Delhi Police officers will stand guard at Hotel Taj, where the Chinese President is scheduled to stay when he arrives in Delhi around 9.30 p.m. Wednesday, while another company of the paramilitary force and police officers will be deputed at all the locations that will be visited by Xi.
Teams of commandos will escort the visiting president’s convoy from Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to the Taj hotel.
To discourage protests by Tibetans living in the city, police personnel in large numbers have been deployed at many places, especially at Majnu-Ka-Tilla, which has a sizeable Tibetan emigre population.
“We have received orders to keep a close watch on the movement of Tibetan people and not to let any protester head towards the Chinese embassy,” the officer said.
According to police, Section 144 (joining unlawful assembly) will be imposed around Majnu-Ka-Tilla if needed. Police are also in contact with Tibetan leaders.
At least 10 Tibetan emigres were detained outside the Chinese embassy Wednesday for staging a protest against Xi’s visit to India.
The protesters, carrying Tibetan flags, staged demonstrations outside the Chinese embassy around 11.30 a.m., demanding freedom for Tibet from China.
Xi, who is on a three-day official visit to India, arrived in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, earlier in the afternoon and was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.