Police Relax Conditions for Anna's Fast
New Delhi, Aug 17 (IANS): Giving in to Team Anna's terms, Delhi Police Wednesday relaxed most of the conditions for Anna Hazare's fast, including giving him permission for seven days that could be extended.
Delhi Police agreed to relax six of the 22 conditions for the social activist to hold his indefinite fast against the government version of the Lokpal bill. The six conditions were mainly those to which Hazare had objected.
"We have relaxed six conditions on which Team Anna had objected. We have given permission for seven days which can be extended," said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat.
He said the venue of the fast has been shifted from J.P. Park to Ramlila Ground in central Delhi.
There would also be no limit on the number of people gathering at the venue in support of Hazare or the number of vehicles parked at the site, the police said.
Of the 22 conditions the police placed before Team Anna to hold their protest at J.P. Park from Aug 16, the civil society activists accepted 16 restriction and rejected six, terming them as unconstitutional.
The six conditions were - three days' time frame for the fast, restricting the number of protesters to 5,000, allowing government medical officers to examine people fasting thrice a day, not to use loudspeakers or public address system, only 50 cars and 50 two-wheelers would be parked around the venue and not to erect a tent on any road.
Hazare had wanted a month for the protest.
However, since the police gave "verbal" assurance of relaxing the conditions for the fast, Team Anna is insisting on a written assurance. "We have asked for written assurance from the police," said an Anna aide.
Hazare, who is in the Tihar Jail, has refused to leave the jail unless he is allowed to continue with his indefinite fast, and the curbs are lifted.
Manmohan Singh says Anna's Arrest was Necessary
Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi, Aug 17: Cornered from all sides, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday August 17 decided to break his silence over the controversial arrest of activist Anna Hazare and said that the action was necessary.
The PM addressed the Lok Sabha and said that the arrest was justified as Anna and his team had openly stated that they would break the law and had refused to cooperate with the Delhi police.
The arrest was a preventive measure and that the police had no option but to arrest him, he said, amid shouts of protest from the opposition.
IANS report:
Government had 'bounden' duty to maintain peace: PM
New Delhi, Aug 17 (IANS): The government had a "bounden duty" to maintain peace, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Wednesday as protests continued over the arrest of social activist Anna Hazare ahead of his planned fast-unto-death for a more powerful Lokpal bill.
Accepting the demand of the opposition, the prime minister made a statement in the Lok Sabha on the arrest and subsequent release of Hazare. Hazare refused to be released and continued to remain inside the Tihar Jail Wednesday morning.
He said it was his painful duty to report on Hazare's arrest and added that every citizen had the right to hold peaceful protest but there was a way to do it.
"Anna Hazare-ji insisted that their version of Lokpal Bill be passed. Delhi government was forced to impose the restrictions to maintain law and order situation," he said.
The prime minister said the Lokpal Bill must be passed as early as possible but the debate is about who makes the law.
Detailing the reasons that led to Delhi Police arresting him, the prime minister said he "sincerely hoped that the incidents of yesterday will not be repeated".
He appealed for the smooth functioning of parliament and said important legislations needed to be passed. If that were not done, it would be an injustice to the people of India.
Manmohan Singh was constantly heckled by the opposition and at several times had to pause in the reading out of the statement.
The prime minister later read out the statement in the Rajya Sabha too.