BJP, SP slams tight police bandobast for Olympic Torch run

New Delhi, Apr 17 (UNI) The BJP and Samajwadi Party today slammed the government for making extra-ordinary security arrangements for the Olympic Torch run, saying it had destroyed the very spirit of sports and cultural events.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha during the Zero Hour, BJP Deputy Leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra and SP Leader Mohan Singh alleged that the areas through which the Olympic Torch would pass had been ''converted into an army cantonment.'' ''Residents of these areas and commuters have been greatly inconvenienced and business and other official activities have virtually come to a halt,'' Mr Malhotra said.

''Instead, the people should have been allowed to participate in the Olympic Torch relay which signifies goodwill and bonhomie,'' he added.

''Police have been resorting to repression on the people. More than 250 Tibetans have already been put behind the bar. Why is the Indian Government becoming hyper-active for a neighbouring country..

why should a peaceful expression of dissent be supressed with an iron hand in a democratic country like ours,'' he asked.

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