Defiance of police order by Hazare not acceptable: govt

In a clear indication of change in strategy in tackling Anna Hazare's protest over Lok Pal Bill, government today refrained from making any personal attack on the activist but justified his arrest saying defiance of police order was not acceptable in democracy.

"This is not a pleasant task and none of us is happy trying to explain the circumstances under which certain events have taken place. It is a painful duty and we are performing it with the seriousness it deserves," Home Minister P Chidambaram said.

At the same time, he strongly defended Hazare's arrest saying the action was taken by the Delhi Police after it came to a conclusion that he and his supporters would commit a "cognisable offence" by defying prohibitory orders.

Addressing the media along with HRD Minister Kapil Sibal and I&B Minister Ambika Soni, Chidambaram said that the government did make an effort to reach out to him yesterday but the meeting did not materialise.

"Yesterday, there was an attempt to meet Hazare, but that was not possible. This morning police officer met Hazare and drew his attention to his statements that he and his supporters would defy the orders and asked him what his intentions were.

"Hazare said he was proceeding to Jaiprakash Narain Park to defy the orders. At that time, police came to the conclusion that he and his supporters would commit a cognisable offence and there could be likely breach of peace and they decided to take action under Sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC," he said.