Government apologises for police action on protesters

Hours after the police cracked down on students protesting against the Delhi gangrape, Minister of State for Home R P N Singh on Sunday night apologised to those who were injured during the clashes, but said the police action came due to the violence perpetrated by 'lumpen elements'.

Singh said there was no reason for the students to continue the protests as the government had accepted all their demands including putting the case in a fast track court and carrying out its day-to-day hearing.

"I apologise to all those who were injured in the police action today. We did not want police beating our own students. But the police action came as some lumpen elements indulged in violence. Anti-social elements were involved in the violence," he told reporters.

The mMinister said 99 per cent students were protesting peacefully and just one per cent were indulging in violence which led to the police crackdown in India Gate and its surrounding areas.

"I assure you that the culprits involved in the Delhi case will be punished. They will not get away. Not only in this case, in all rape cases anywhere in India, we are taking action," he said.

Asked whether action will be taken against the Delhi police commissioner or any other senior police officer, Singh said, "If there is any lapse, we will take the strictest action against any police officer, no matter how senior he is."