India: Outrage over gang rape on bus
2012-12-19 12:52
New Delhi - Lawmakers, rights groups and citizens across
India expressed outrage on Wednesday over the gang rape of a woman on a bus in New
Delhi and are urging the government to crack down on crimes against women.
The outpouring of anger is unusual in a country where
attacks against women are often ignored and rarely prosecuted.
Opposition lawmakers protested outside Parliament on
Wednesday and called for the death penalty for the rapists.
Demonstrations erupted outside New Delhi's police
headquarters demanding swift punishment for the rapists, and angry university
students set up roadblocks across the city.
Police say six men raped the 23-year-old medical student,
and beat her and her companion with iron rods before throwing them off the bus
on Sunday.
The woman was in a critical condition in hospital and
doctors said she has severe internal injuries.
Delhi police chief Neeraj Kumar said four men have been
arrested and a search was underway for the two other men.
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told Parliament that he had
ordered increased police patrols on the streets, especially at night.
Shinde said the government has proposed amendments to
criminal laws to increase the punishment for rapes and other crimes against
women. But they are still awaiting discussion and passage in parliament.
Analysts and protesters said the upsurge of anger was
chiefly due to the increasing incidents of crime against women and the seeming
inability of the government and police to ensure the safety of women.
- AP
