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Demonstrations keep Delhi police busy

Onkar Singh in New Delhi

Hours before the United States President Bill Clinton arrived in India on a five-day trip, both supporters and opponents of the visit took out processions in different parts of the city.

Some Azadi Bachao Andolan activists burnt an effigy of Clinton at Shaheed Bhagat Singh terminal at ITO this afternoon, while a group of Tibetans took out a procession at Jantar Mantar welcoming the President.

The ITO demonstration was led by Swami Agniwesh, Raghu Takhur and Shamat. They accused Clinton of being a symbol of American imperialism.

"He represents the evil forces of the World Trade Organisation, the International Monitary Fund and the World Bank who are out to destroy the Indian economy," said Agniwesh.

Raghu Thakur said the forces of globalisation that Clinton represents are pressurising India to follow the rules set by a clutch of Western countries.

The Tibetans, on other hand, praised Clinton for taking important initiatives to solve the Tibet dispute with China. They urged the US President to appoint a special co-ordinator for Tibetan affairs to facilitate negotiations between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Chinese leadership.

CLINTON VISITS INDIA :The complete coverage

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