Death penalty demand for rapists

Police in India's capital have used water cannons and batons for a second day to break up protests by hundreds of people demonstrating against the gang rape and brutal beating of a 23-year-old student on a bus.

Demonstrations continued in New Delhi despite Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde promising to consider the protesters' demands for death penalties for all six suspects who have been arrested by police following the December 16 attack.

Mr Shinde also said that the government was taking steps to better ensure the safety of women.

A group of protesters met Sonia Gandhi, the governing Congress party chief, today and demanded a speedy trial of the suspects.

The attack last Sunday has sparked days of protests across the country.