Widespread protests are on in the national capital against the gang rape of a 23-year-old medical student in a moving bus. Hundreds of protestors today gathered at India Gate and near Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi demanding tougher punishment for rapists and safety for women.

Police fired tear gas shells and used water cannons to disperse the protesters who tried to breach barricades to push towards Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Meanwhile, the government has appealed the protesters to calm down and not resort to violence. Talking to the media in New Delhi this afternoon, Minister of State for Home RPN Singh said the government will demand the harshest punishment for the rapists.

AIR correspondent reports, former Army Chief General V.K. Singh joined protestors at India Gate this morning and blamed systemic collapse for the brutal incident.

Meanwhile, the victim is still battling for life. Doctors say, she is stable but her platelet count has dropped further. The girl's friend, who is a software engineer, met her yesterday for the first time since the attack and told her that all the culprits have been arrested.