|
New
Delhi:
Civil society leader Anna Hazare Friday left the Tihar Jail after
three days to be welcomed by cheering crowds who had been waiting
for hours outside. Hazare, 74, is on day four of his fast for a
stronger anti-corruption law.
He now moves to the Ramlila ground in central Delhi to continue
his protest.
Briefly addressing people outside
the jail, Hazare, who is on day four of his hunger strike,
acknowledged the greetings of the crowd and said he was on his way
to Ramlila ground where the protest would continue.
"Nobody should damage public property on the way," Hazare told the
people, adding that people they would encounter on the way were
their "brothers and sisters" and nobody should be inconvenienced.
He set off on a journey across the city in an open truck that
negotiated its way slowly through massive crowds, shouting slogans
and holding aloft the Indian tricolour.
Fasting inside Tihar since Tuesday, Hazare, 74, will visit Rajghat
and India Gate before he reaches Ramlila ground, Team Anna member
Kiran Bedi said.
"Anna is absolutely fine. He has no health problems," Bedi added.
"Basic facilities like the tent have been put up for the
supporters. We have provided a room and bathroom facilities for
Anna," Kejriwal said.
"The crowds gathered to support Anna Hazare are spiritual, and
there have been no incidents of violence so far in the country
where political rallies turn violent easily," he said.
"We've told all our supporters that anyone indulging in
anti-social behaviour should be be immediately reported to the
police," he added.
Team Anna, which has been permitted to fast for 15 days, may get
an extension.
"The police told us if you put application again after 15 days, we
will consider it," Bedi said.
"Delhi Police Commissioner B.K. Gupta has also informed us that
after four days they are likely to extend the fast duration for
more than 15 days," Kejriwal added.
Hazare had planned to begin his fast for a stronger Lokpal Bill at
the J.P. Park in the ITO area Tuesday.
Delhi Police imposed certain conditions before the protest could
be allowed. Hazare however refused to agree, after which the
police detained him and his associates Tuesday.
He was sent to Tihar and was subsequently released Tuesday night,
but he refused to leave the jail until allowed to carry on the
fast without any conditions.
Hazare has been demanding the government to bring the prime
minister, higher judiciary and the conduct of MPs inside
parliament within the ambit of the Lokpal (ombudsman).
|
Comments
|
Quick links