Policeman injured in protests dies

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NEW DELHI, Dec. 25 (UPI) -- An Indian policeman, injured in protests related to the gang rape of a New Delhi student, died Tuesday, police said.

Subhash Chand Tomar, 47, was injured Sunday when the continuing protests over the Dec. 16 gang rape of the 23-year-old woman in a moving bus turned violent. The condition of the rape victim, who was critically injured by six rapists, had deteriorated Monday night, her doctors said. Her condition was described as being "very serious and very critical."

Thousands of protesters in New Delhi have been demonstrating at the sprawling India Gate war memorial area since the rape, forcing authorities to virtually shutdown several areas of the Indian capital.

Tomar had been on ventilator after he was admitted to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

"With deep regret, we have to inform you Constable Subhash Chand Tomar succumbed to his injuries at 6:40 a.m. today (Tuesday)," Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said.

Tomar, a 25-year veteran of the police force, had been on duty at the India Gate area when the protests turned violent Sunday.

Police used water cannons and tear gas and even resorted to cane charging to disperse the crowd. Dozens of police and protesters were injured.

Eight people had been arrested and charged with attempted murder for Tomar's injuries. With his death, police said murder charges will now be filed against them, PTI reported.