Fast outside Delhi, police tell Anna Hazare

Delhi Police has told team Anna Hazare that they cannot go for their proposed indefinite fast and sit-in at Jantar Mantar against the Lok Pal Bill and asked them to either choose a venue outside the capital or give a definite time-frame for their campaign near Parliament.

Hazare has announced that he will sit on an indefinite fast here from August 16 demanding the withdrawal of the government's Lok Pal Bill, in a replay of his protest at Jantar Mantar in early April demanding a strong Lok Pal to fight corruption in high places.

Team Anna had a series of meetings with the officials of the Home Ministry and the Delhi Police and the decision was conveyed to them by the authorities.

Official sources said the Delhi Police has cited a 2009 order of the Supreme Court and has said that they cannot give permission for indefinite dharna anywhere in Delhi including in Jantar Mantar as Parliament would be in session beginning August 1.

Police authorities said that no one group can be allowed to capture the entire space at Jantar Mantar as many groups conduct protests during this period (Parliament Session).

So, if Anna and his supporters want to go ahead with their fast and dharna they will have to shift their venue to the outskirts of Delhi or give the police a definite time-frame for their sit-in.