New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS): Over 40 people squated near Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's official residence here Sunday and shouted slogans in support of activist Anna Hazare and a stringent anti-graft law, police said.

Raising their voices against corruption, the protesters were marching from India Gate to 7 Race Course Road carrying flowers for him, when they were stopped by the police some 200 metres from the prime minister's residence.

"We were holding a peaceful march in Hazare's support and to end corruption and were taking flowers for the prime minister, when these policemen asked us not to go ahead. So, we decided to sit near his residence," said Prahlad Pandey, one of the protesters.

Police said that the people have not been detained.

"We have not detained them. They have just been asked not to go ahead," said Satish Sharma, station house officer (SHO) of Chanakyapuri police station, adding that they are, however, free to protest peacefully at the spot.

"This march is not just in Anna's support. It is for us and our children. We want to make our nation corruption free and Jan Lokpal bill is just a step towards it. Believe it or not, it is a very long fight and we are ready," said a protester.