NSG, copters to be used to protect olympic torch

New Delhi, Apr 8 (UNI) A three-tier security arrangement with National Security Guard and air surveillance by helicopters would be used by the Indian government to ensure security of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in India on April 17.

Though the government has declined the Chinese government's request to allow elite China Red Guards commandos to accompany the torch, it has decided that the torch could be carried inside a vehicle if the situation worsens.NSG commandos would guard the Olympic torch during its three-km relay in New Delhi.

The Indian government has asserted that it was committed to ensure safety of the Olympic torch. It said that Indian security agencies are capable of providing complete security to the Olympic torch.

The issue was discussed in detail at a meeting between Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon.

Meanwhile, widespread disruptions of the Olympic torch relay in France and Britain due to Tibetan protests against China may lead to the dropping of the international section of the run from future games, IOC officials said today.

Thousands of protesters are angry about China's hosting of the Olympics Games, its policies in Tibet and human rights record haunted the torch relay across Paris and London. More problems were expected tomorrow in San Francisco, the only North American leg of the relay.

UNI AJ RL RN2000