Ananova:

Hundreds of people have wrecked police cars, burned vehicles and hurled stones in India's capital following reports that a young man had died from torture at a police station in a crackdown on gamblers.

Five police officers have been suspended after the rioting in New Delhi, said Joint Commissioner of Police Satish Chandra, wearing a helmet with a visor while angry youths gathered behind him.

The young man was detained by police for alleged involvement in gambling, and was seriously injured after allegedly being beaten up at the police station. He died in a private hospital.

"The local police had arrested a young man, and he became unwell and later died. These people are angry about that," Commissioner Chandra said.

As word of the death spread, residents of the Madipur neighbourhood in western New Delhi swarmed the roads and battled with police, who fired tear gas. The violence was shown live on television.

Residents alleged that police had reacted with excessive force.

Television footage showed baton-wielding policemen wearing protective gear and helmets dragging a man by his arm, after which several officers surrounded him, kicking and hitting him repeatedly.

© Associated Press

Story filed: 12:15 Tuesday 21st October 2003

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