Jammu, Aug 16 (IANS): Protests erupted in this winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday against the detention of civil society activist Anna Hazare in New Delhi.

As news of the detention spread, small groups came out of their homes in support of the Gandhian, whose proposed fast in support of a strong Lokpal Bill had been banned by Delhi Police.

Very soon, the protests picked up across Jammu city. Some protesters held placards that read: "We support Anna Hazare!"

"We are with Anna Hazare and his campaign against corruption," said B.S. Salathia, president of the Jammu Bar Association, which suspended its work for the day.

The protesters raised slogans against the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government and Delhi Police.

Salathia added: "Lawyers in Jammu will continue to hold protests against corruption because corruption is ruining our nation."

Some groups including Panun Kashmir and SOS, an organization of people from Pakistani Kashmir who became refugees in 1947, staged a protest near the Press Club.

Spontaneous demonstrations were also reported from Satwari locality, Old City areas and several other places.

Hazare and his associates, including activists Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, were detained early Tuesday before they could begin their hunger strike for a strong anti-corruption bill.