Delhi gangrape: Protesters at Jantar Mantar demand speedy justice

A day after violent protests rocked the capital, scores of people, mostly school students, on Monday, December 24, 2012 gathered at Jantar Mantar and asked the government to provide speedy justice to the accused in the gangrape case.

Students shouting slogans for safety of women at Jantar Mantar on Monday, December 24, 2012 demanding speedy justice to rapists.

Scores of people, mostly school students gathered at Jantar Mantar on Monday, December 24, 2012.

Even as PM Manmohan Singh appealed for calm, hundreds of people, including school children, gathered in the city centre on Monday, December 24, 2012 demanding justice for the gang-rape victim and ensuring the safety of women.

Holding placards, cloth banners and waving their fists in the air, the young and the old denounced the December 16 rape and raised slogans "Women want freedom", "Rapists should be crushed" and "Justice with Safety."

The students demanded justice for the gangrape victim and ensuring the safety of women.

Even journalists were denied access to India Gate, a World War I monument in the heart of the capital.

Protesters said that they are not convinced by prime minister's assurance of government providing security and safety of women.

Since December 24 morning, police and paramilitary personnel laid siege to areas all around India Gate, where hundreds indulged in violence while seeking death to the rapists of the 23-year-old now battling for life.

The crowds at Jantar Mantar -- swelling by the hour -- included school and college students, people from the neighbourhood, and members of women's groups and NGOs.

Students express their support and best wishes for the rape victim in front of Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on Monday,  December 24, 2012.

Students in front of Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on Monday,  December 24, 2012.

Student expressing his best wishes for the rape victim in front of Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi on Monday,  December 24, 2012.

Protestors also condemned the government's move to shut nine Delhi Metro stations to stop them from coming to India Gate.

Some protestors said they are spreading the word by talking to people in buses and metros to come and join the protest.

The students asked the government to provide speedy justice to the accused in the gangrape case.

The students shouted slogans demanding justice for rape victim at Jantar Mantar on Monday, December 24, 2012.

Violent protests had erupted on Sunday, December 23, 2012 at India Gate following which the police had lobbed 250 teargas shells and sprayed water jets besides using force to disperse the agitators.

Protests were held at Jantar Mantar on Monday, December 24, 2012 demanding speedy justice to rapists.

Police personnel in large numbers have been deployed across dharna-hotspots like India Gate, Raisina Hills and Jantar Mantar.

Some of the protesters, who tried to march towards India Gate, one of the areas of yesterday's clashes, were prevented by the police and were diverted to Jantar Mantar which is the only spot that has been exempted from prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC clamped in New Delhi district, banning assembly of four or more persons.

Crowds at Jantar Mantar included school and college students, people from the neighbourhood, and members of women's groups and NGOs.

Demonstrators walk with placards during a protest at Jantar Mantar on Monday, December 24, 2012.

People massed near the Jantar Mantar on Monday, December 24, 2012.

Protest was held at Jantar Mantar on  Monday, December 24, 2012 following the rape of a student in New Delhi.

A day after violent protests rocked Delhi, scores of people, mostly school students, on Monday, December 24, 2012, gathered at Jantar Mantar.

The protesters on Monday, December 24, 2012, asked the government to provide speedy justice to the accused in the gangrape case.

Police personnel in large numbers have been deployed across dharna-hotspots like India Gate, Raisina Hills and Jantar Mantar.

The protesters shouted slogans demanding quick justice to those arrested on charges of raping the 23-year-old para-medical student from northern city Dehradun on Sunday night in a moving bus here.

Some of the protesters, who tried to march towards India Gate, one of the areas of Sunday's clashes, were prevented by the police.

The protesters were diverted to Jantar Mantar which is the only spot that has been exempted from prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC clamped in New Delhi district, banning assembly of four or more persons.

Monday's protests appeared muted as the police did not allow anybody reach near India Gate or Raisina Hills, which witnessed pitched battles between the security forces and the protesters on Sunday.

There were also small protests near Safdarjung Hospital, where the rape victim is undergoing treatment.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has ordered probe into violence at India Gate on Sunday.

The BJP criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh claiming that his statement over continued unrest in Delhi on the issue of gangrape case has failed to convince the people of the country.

Left leader Brinda Karat said, "Home Minister's statement is like rubbing salt into wounds."

Violent protests had erupted on Sunday at India Gate following which the police had lobbed 250 teargas shells and sprayed water jets besides using force to disperse the agitators.