ANGER with the police in New Delhi exploded on its streets yesterday, following reports that a 32-year-old man had died after detention in a police station.

Hundreds of people smashed windows of police cars, burned vehicles and hurled stones. The police fought back with tear gas.

The man was detained by police for alleged involvement in gambling, and was seriously injured while in police custody, Press Trust of India news agency reported. He died on Monday night in a private hospital.

Five officers were suspended after the rioting, said Joint Commissioner of Police Satish Chandra, wearing a helmet with a visor while angry youths clamoured behind him.

'The local police had arrested a young man, and he became unwell and later died,' Mr Satish said. 'These people are angry about that.'

The violence was shown live on television.

The Times of India said the Delhi police were cracking down on gambling on the eve of Deepavali.

According to the dead man's relatives, he had been picked up and kept at a nearby police post for over two hours.

When he was dropped home, the man complained of giddiness and pain in thestomach.

He was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

The preliminary autopsy confirms he died of internal injuries.

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