NRIs in UK demand severe punishment for gangrape accused

A group of 50 NRIs held a candlelight vigil in central London today, demanding severe punishment for the six men allegedly involved in the gangrape of a 23-year-old girl who died in a Singapore hospital.

A group of 50 NRIs held a candlelight vigil in central London on Saturday, demanding severe punishment for the six men allegedly involved in the gangrape of a 23-year-old girl who died in a Singapore hospital.

NRIs, including teachers and housewives, gathered at the Mahatma Gandhi Statue, Tavistock Square and raised slogans and held placards demanding an end to assault and rape cases in India.

"Band Karo Atyachar, save our sisters," one of the placards read.

The protest was organised by Pravasi Bharat, a London-based humanitarian organisation working for the welfare and basic rights of Indians living abroad.

"We as the concerned citizens of India deeply saddened by hearing the news of the 23-year-old medical student who was brutally gang-raped and assaulted in Delhi recently. We are extremely sorry that she died in Singapore today."

From the Tavistock Square, they marched to the Indian High Commmission in Adwych and submitted a memorandum, urging the Government of India to introduce strict punishments for rapists and introduce time-bound investigations and Fast Track courts to deal with sexual assault cases.