News / Asia

Policeman Injured in India Mob Attack Dies

Indian students carrying placards shout slogans against last week's gang-rape as they protest in central New Delhi, India, Dec. 24, 2012.
Indian students carrying placards shout slogans against last week's gang-rape as they protest in central New Delhi, India, Dec. 24, 2012.
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VOA News
An Indian police constable who was seriously injured during a massive demonstration against a brutal gang rape has died in a New Delhi hospital.

Authorities say the policeman died Tuesday, two days after he was attacked by a mob that clashed with police.

Sunday's unrest took place as police struggled to control protesters who have expressed increased outrage over the rape and beating of a 23-year-old medical student earlier this month.

The student was attacked after she and a male friend were given a ride on a chartered bus in New Delhi on December 16. Officials say a group of men raped and beat her with an iron rod, then threw the woman off the bus.  

The woman remains hospitalized in critical condition on respiratory support.

Officials have barricaded roads and closed some metro stations in the capital in a bid to end the demonstrations.

On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for calm.  In a televised address, Mr. Singh also vowed to examine issues affecting the safety of women and children.

Many protesters have demanded the death penalty for the suspects now in detention.

More than 600 cases of rape have been reported in New Delhi so far this year, one of the highest rates in the country.

  • An Indian protester shouts slogans as he is stopped by police during a protest against a recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, December 27, 2012.
  • Indians protesting the recent gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, display a poster calling for death penalty for offenders at a rally in Kolkata, December 27, 2012.
  • Police stand near barricades as they prepare to stop protesters on their way to India Gate while demonstrating against the gang-rape of a young woman in a moving bus in New Delhi, India, December 27, 2012.
  • People participate in a candle light vigil for the recovery of the young victim of the recent brutal gang-rape in a bus in New Delhi, India, December 26, 2012.
  • A woman is removed by Indian police while protesting against the brutal gang-rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi, India, December 25, 2012.
  • Police and relatives carry the body of Subhash Tomar, a police man, during his funeral in New Delhi, December 25, 2012. Tomar died after he was injured during a protest over a gang rape in New Delhi.
  • Members of the All India Democratic Students Organization (DSO) hold placards and shout slogans condemning the brutal gang rape of a woman on a moving bus in New Delhi during a protest in Ahmadabad, India, December 24, 2012.
  • Indian police use water cannons to push back protesters during a demonstration near the India Gate against the gang rape and brutal beating of a 23-year-old student on a bus last week, in New Delhi, India, December 23, 2012.
  • An Indian man overwhelmed by tear gas lies on the ground during a protest in New Delhi, India, December 23, 2012.
  • A demonstrator holds a placard in front of India Gate as she takes part in a protest rally organized by various women's organisations in New Delhi, India, December 21, 2012.
  • People participate in a candlelight vigil for the fast recovery of a young woman as she fights for her life at a hospital after being brutally raped and tortured, in New Delhi, India, December 21, 2012.

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