Many Tibetan refugees were Thursday detained for staging protests against Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India, police said.
A group of Tibetan people carrying flags gathered near Dhaula Kuan area around 10 a.m. and started raising slogans against the Chinese president's visit, and demanding independence for Tibet.
"At least eight protesters were detained as they were marching towards the Taj Palace Hotel where the Chinese president is staying," said a police officer.
Nearly 30 women Tibetan protesters were also detained outside Hyderabad House, where Xi held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The protesters managed to reach the area despite heavy police protection and adequate barricading.
A few protesters were also detained near India Gate as they were marching towards Hyderabad House.
They were taken to a nearby police station and later allowed to go.
Delhi Police had deployed personnel in many areas, especially near Majnu-ka-Tilla, a Tibetan colony in Delhi, to block any protest against the Chinese president.
A police officer said the number of personnel deployed at Majnu-ka-Tilla was increased Thursday in anticipation of further protests.
"The security personnel will be deployed till tomorrow (Friday) noon when the Chinese president will fly back to his country," the officer said.
The area has been "sealed" and many shops forced to down their shutters. Xi is on a three-day official visit to India. He arrived in Ahmedabad Wednesday and flew to Delhi later the same night.
