Delhi gang-rape: Police, protesters scuffle at India Gate

By ANI

New Delhi, Dec 23 (ANI): As the nation continued to fume over the gruesome December 16 gang rape of a 23-year-old woman, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Rahul Gandhi met some of the protesters here this morning at Sonia Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence.

According to a protester, Gandhi told them "I am with you...and justice will be delivered."

Sonia had also addressed the protestors late last night for around 20 minutes on women security issues.

Meanwhile, urging people to stay calm, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the police should have taken preventive measures earlier.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been issued in New Delhi area except Jantar Mantar.

More policemen and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel have been posted around India Gate and Vijay Chowk.

Seven metro stations near India Gate and Raisina Hill have already been closed from this morning till further orders. Last night, it was decided to close four stations-Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan and Race Course-but this morning it was extended to three more-Barakhamba, Mandi House and Khan Market.

Hours after Delhi police evacuated demonstrators from Raisina Hills and Congress President Sonia Gandhi's 10 Janpath residence, high drama was witnessed at India Gate today when agitators resisted police attempts to detain them for defying prohibitory orders to protest against the gangrape of a young girl.

The protesters assembled near the war memorial from 9 a.m. when they were asked to vacate the location by the police, which said the area was under Section 144 of CrPC which bans the assembly of four or more persons.

As the protesters remained defiant, police forcibly removed them from the spot. According to Television reports, women protesters alleged that they were manhandled by male police personnel though women police were present at the spot.

Earlier, asserting that the Centre is shocked over the brutal gang-rape of a 23-year-old girl, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Saturday said the government has appointed a judicial commission to review the security of women.

Shinde said all the six accused of the gang-rape have been arrested, and added that the government would request for a speedy trial in this case.

"The government is extremely concerned about the gang-rape case. All the accused have been arrested. Sufficient evidence has been gathered. The chargesheet well be filed shortly. The government is requesting the courts for a speedy trial through fast-track courts," Shinde told mediapersons here.

The Home Minister last evening met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the latter's official 7, Race Course Road residence here to brief him about the prevailing situation in the national capital.

The Prime Minister has asked Shinde to ensure that there is sense of security among the people in the national capital. Dr. Singh has also asked Shinde to take all adequate steps to stop recurrence of rape events. (ANI)

Now we have Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi meeting the demonstrators.

What purpose will it serve?

With all political parties giving tickets to rapists, murderers and the worst scum of society, how can you expect the government to take action of the rapist.

For that they would have to take action on its own MPs and MLAs.

Why can't the elections commission ban people who have such crimes against their names. If T N Seshan had been here, I am sure they would have been banned long ago.

If the judiciary co-operates with the elections commission, I am sure we can eliminate thee criminal, corrupt politicians.