Investigation into alleged fatal gang rape

LUCKNOW: India’s federal police will investigate the alleged gang rape of a young woman in northern Uttar Pradesh state, whose death sparked nationwide protests, the local government said on Saturday (local time).

The 19yearold Dalit woman died of her injuries last week, triggering protests by opposition political parties and the public in New Delhi and elsewhere against atrocities against a community that is often ostracised under India’s caste system.

India is one of the world’s most dangerous places for women, a rape occurring, on average, every 15 minutes.

Public criticism grew after the family of the victim said her body had been cremated by police without their consent, an allegation officials deny.

In Kolkata and Bhubaneswar, political parties and women’s organisations marched in protest against the incident and demanded justice for the woman, video footage from ANI news agency showed.