Delhi gangrape protesters hold vigil at night

The otherwise sleepy Raisina Hill was on Saturday night abuzz with activity with a large number of youths shouting slogans against government and holding candlelight vigil to protest the gangrape of a young girl in a moving bus last Sunday.

The announcement of a slew of measures by Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde late on Saturday evening bowing to the protests did not cut much ice with them as they continued shouting slogans.

The anger was evident as they kept on talking about the repeated police action, including teargassing and use of water jets besides baton charge, against them during the day.

The Raisina Hill, where Rashtrapati Bhavan and Prime Minister's Office are located and which only have security personnel on guard during night, was swarming with protesters though their numbers had dwindled from over 10,000 to about half.

Police personnel were also deployed in large numbers and the protesters were seen arguing with them.

Candle light vigils were held at India Gate as well as Raisina Hill. Protests were also held near Safdurjung Hospital through out the day.

Earlier in the evening, the protest turned violent when students pelted stones and threw water bottles at police who used force and resorted to lobbing teargas at them, injuring many.

A little before 6 pm, the protest almost went out of control as a water cannon was taken out from the spot apparently for refilling. Protesters apparently mistook it for another action and some of them attacked the vehicle while others clashed with police.

At around 5:30 pm, students protesting against the gangrape clashed with police near the VVIP gate of Parliament following which personnel used force to disperse them.

A large number of protesters at the Raisina Hills tried to round up policemen who were boarding the bus at Vijay Chowk near the VIP Gate of Parliament House following which personnel used force to disperse them.

Some protesters threw water bottles at police, who forced the people to towards Rail Bhavan on Raisina Road.

With night settling in, it was complete chaos at Raisina Hills as people ran helter-skelter.

Some policemen were seen throwing back stones at protesters.

Eye-witnesses said several people were injured in the incident.