Hundreds protest over triple rape in India

Hundreds - including several schoolchildren - take to the streets in western India's Maharashtra state following the brutal rape and murder of three young sisters.

Many demanded swifter police action as well as the death penalty for the murderers and better security for women.

(SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) A SCHOOL TEACHER PARTICIPATING IN THE RALLY, HEMALATA, SAYING:

"There is a sense of fear in the hearts of people in wake of these cases. There is very little security being provided for women and that is worrisome."

The bodies of the sisters, aged 11, 9 and 6, were found dumped in a village well a week ago after they went missing on February 14.

Post mortem reports confirmed sexual assault and murder.

The children's grandfather has demanded the death penalty for those responsible.

The protest follows a candlelit vigil in memory of the three youngsters on Friday.

The incident comes just two months after the horrific gang rape of a 23-year-old student aboard a bus in New Delhi that sent shock waves through the country.

It is estimated that a woman is raped every 20 minutes in India but conviction rates here are among the lowest in the world.