JUST IN – ANNA HAZARE DETAINED AHEAD OF FAST

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: Hours before social activist Anna Hazare was to hold an indefinite fast over a strong Lokpal Bill, the Delhi Police detained the veteran Gandhian and a number of his key associates on Tuesday.

In an early morning swoop, Hazare was detained from his Mayur Vihar residence early this morning and is being taken to the Gazzetted Officers Mess in Alipur, north Delhi.

As per reports, DCP (Crime) Ashok Chand had met with Hazare –prior to his arrest – in a bid to convince him to not go ahead with his planned protest defying prohibitory orders.

Anna’s close aides Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Manish Sisodia have also been detained.

Expressing outrage over the development, another key Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan said that he will move the Supreme Court today to protest against the injustice being meted out to the anti-corruption activists.

Meanwhile, a large number of Anna supporters have blocked the Delhi-Noida road and are raising their voice against the police action.

The huge influx of people was seen despite a heavy police presence in the area to ensure law and order in the city.

The 74-year-old social activist had earlier announced to hold an indefinite fast at Jai Prakash Narain Park, near Feroj Shah Kotla Stadium, where prohibitory orders have been imposed.

NDA meet to discuss Anna

The main opposition BJP has convened high-level meeting of its allies in National Democratic Alliance discuss the political situation and the party’s future course of action in the event of Anna Hazare’s detention by the government.