10,000 register for jail baro in Karnataka

India Against Corruption (IAC) today requested the Karnataka government to provide temporary accommodation to house its activists participating in Anna Hazare's "jail baro" programme for a strong Lok Pal Bill starting from December 30 citing lack of space in prisons.

The plea for identifying space to lodge those who would court arrest as part of the programme was made by IAC activist Prithvi Reddy, a Team Anna Core Committee member, during a meeting he had with state Chief Secretary SV Ranganath.

Ranganath told reporters here that at least 10,000 people, including 7,000 in Bangalore, have registered in Karnataka for the "jail baro" programme whereas jails in the state have capacity only for 10,000 inmates and already housed at least 8,000.

 

Sources said the government was considering the State's Armed Reserve Police ground to lodge those participating in the jail baro programme.

The IAC members would also commence their three-day fast at the Freedom Park here from tomorrow expressing solidarity with Hazare who is staging a fast in Mumbai over the Lok Pal Bill.

Freedom fighter HS Doreswamy Iyengar, who is spearheading the stir in Bangalore, and Raitha Sangha leader Kodihalli Chandrasekhar have demanded strong Lok Pal Bill.