Gang-Rape Victim Quietly Cremated, Protests Continue


The flames of the pyre may have died, but public anger continued with hundreds of protestors gathering at Jantar Mantar, the heart of the Indian capital. The peaceful protest turned a little restive in the afternoon when a group of students clashed with policemen.

While many raised slogans for tougher laws to deal with rapists, some organised a 'havan' - a prayer by fire ceremony - for the departed soul.

"We want speedy justice in the gang-rape case. We want strict laws, until then we will continue our protest," Deepali Sharma, a student from Amity University at Gurgaon who came to the protest along with friends, told IANS.

Candle-light vigils to pay homage to the woman, who fought grimly for survival for 13 days, were held in various residential colonies across Delhi as well as in other cities.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad questioned the "hush-hush manner" in which the cremation was held and also demanded a special session of parliament to discuss the issue of rising crimes against women.

Delhi has the unflattering sobriquet of "rape capital" with over 600 rapes recorded this year alone, according to police figures.

Police imposed restrictive orders around India Gate and Raisina Hill - the capital's power centre - and blockaded all roads leading to the areas, as well as shut down ten Metro stations in central Delhi. Five stations were opened later in the afternoon.

India Gate and its adjacent areas in the capital were out of bounds for public.

The restrictions hindered users of cars and other vehicles who wanted to commute to the heart of the capital, but police were unyielding as they wanted to prevent last Sunday's violent street protests that led to the death of a policeman.

The gang-raped trainee physiotherapist was flown to Singapore for specialized treatment after her condition deteriorated following the grievous injuries to her during her 40-minute ordeal. She died early Saturday.

Source: IANS