56 Tibetans detained in Mumbai

Press Trust of India

Mumbai, April 17, 2008

Fifty-six Tibetans, including 13 women, were detained in Mumbai after they attempted to hold a protest rally at the Chinese Consulate in the business district of Nariman Point to oppose the arrival of the Olympic torch in India.

"The detained persons will be released and they have not been booked on any charges," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Brijesh Singh told PTI.

Singh said that as per the Bombay High Court order, the protesters could not gather in any part of South Mumbai, barring Azad Maidan, to carry out the protests.

The protesters, carrying pamphlets and flags, arrived near the South Mumbai office of the Chinese Consulate at about 10 am. But were quickly bundled into waiting police vans and taken to the nearby Marine Drive police station.

Additional forces were deployed near the consulate with police officials, some in plainclothes, patrolling the area.

Police personnel also checked all vehicles passing through the area for protesters and there was high security on the road leading to the consulate. About 45 persons were detained in the morning.

A small group of protesters who attempted to hold a protest rally in the evening were also detained.