Indian PM urges calm as anger rages over gang-rape
INDIA: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed for calm
and vowed to protect women as police on Monday struggled to quell
increasing outrage over sex crimes following the gang-rape of a student.
With large parts of central Delhi sealed off after a wave of violent
protests, Singh said he understood the “genuine anger and anguish at
this ghastly incident” a week ago but called for demonstrations to
remain peaceful.
“There is genuine and justified anger and anguish at this ghastly
incident,” Singh said in a statement issued by his office late Sunday.
“I feel deeply sad at the turn of events leading to clashes between
protesters and police forces. I assure you that we will make all
possible efforts to ensure security and safety to all women in this
country,” he added.
Protests have been taking place across India over the last week to
denounce the police and government over the gang-rape of the 23-year-old
student in the capital and the surge of violence against women.
Official figures show that 228,650 of the total 256,329 violent
crimes recorded last year were against women. Delhi has been dubbed the
rape capital of India with the number of rapes in the city rising 17
percent to 661 this year.
The biggest protests were seen in New Delhi on Saturday, prompting
police to cordon off areas around government buildings. However fresh
clashes erupted on Sunday, which the police control room in New Delhi
said had left more than 100 people injured, including 60 policemen.
The clampdown was further tightened on Monday, with commuters having
to make lengthy detours to make it to work.
The situation has been exacerbated with extra security already
planned for the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The venue for a signing ceremony and press conference with Putin and
Singh has been shifted.
“No one will be allowed to march towards the parliament or the
president's palace. We know people will face problem because of the road
block,” said New Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat.
AFP |
