UPDATE#2: Cops detain Anna Hazare ahead of protest
The Delhi Police today detained social activist Anna Hazare from Mayur Vihar's Supreme Enclave, where he was staying, just hours before he was about to proceed to J P Park for his protest fast. At least two of his supporters, Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi, were also taken into preventive custody.
According to television reports, no specific reasons were given for the detention and at the time of filing this report, Hazare and Kejriwal had been taken to the Officers' Mess at Civil Lines.
Bedi, who was arrested from Rajghat, said that emergency had revisited the country and that the detention was unconstitutional and undemocratic. She confirmed that the police refused to give any specific reason for the arrest despite repeated queries from Hazare.
The 73-year-old social activist was planning to stage an indefinite fast at Jai Prakash Narain Park, near Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, where prohibitory orders have been imposed.
Reactions:
- Arrests kick up a storm in the Capital and in Hazare's village Ralegan Siddhi, supporters block roads
- N Chandrababu Naidu expresses support for Hazare
- Actor-politician Chiranjeevi, whose Praja Rajyam Party had merged with the Congress in February, has also expressed support for Hazare and his agitation
- Congress mum on arrest. No party member willing to talk to media
- Team Anna to appeal in Supreme Court against arrest
- Govt killing democracy, says Ramdev, pledges support to Hazare
- Govt calls for Cabinet meeting at 10am
- Kiran Bedi, Arvind Kejriwal detained: Delhi Police.
Further details awaited...