New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS): Tibetan refugees Thursday staged protests in Delhi 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, demanding independence for Tibet, police said.

"At least eight Tibetan 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 detained outside Hyderabad House, where Xi is holding talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The protesters managed to reach the area despite heavy police protection and adequate barricading.

Delhi Police have deployed their personnel in many areas, especially near Majnu-ka-Tilla, which is a Tibetan colony in Delhi, to block any protest against the Chinese president.

A police officer said the number of police personnel deployed at Majnu-ka-Tilla has been increased Thursday in anticipation of further protests.

The area has been "sealed" and many shops have been made to shut down.

Xi is on a three-day official visit to India. He arrived in Ahmedabad Wednesday and flew to Delhi later in the night.