Delhi gang-rape protest: Govt appeals for peace

With student protesters turning violent at Raisina Hill, Union Minister RPN Singh on Saturday appealed to young protesters to show restraint and assured them that strictest action would be meted out to the accused in the paramedical student gangrape case.

"We have assured on floor of the House and on every platform possible that strictest action will be taken against accused. Police has been asked to show restraint but I want to tell boys and girls breaking barriers won't help," the Minister of State for Home Affairs said.

As the students marched towards Rashtrapati Bhavan, police erected barricades at the Vijay Chowk near South and North Blocks which house Home Ministry, Defence Ministry and Prime Minister's Office.

Police fired teargas shells and used water cannons to disperse hundreds of young students who were protesting for the second consecutive day at the high-security zone demanding justice for the 23-year-old gangrape victim.

Police action came as 'negotiations' failed at the Raisina Hill leading to Rashtrapati Bhavan failed and the protesters, comprising largely young women and men, tried to breach the barricades to push towards the Rashtrapati Bhavan.