Demonstrations and dharnas were held in several places of Orissa in protest against the detention of Anna Hazare and his associates in New Delhi.
People belonging to different spheres, including social activists, artists, writers and intellectuals, hit the streets holding placards and banners and shouting slogans against the police crack-down on Hazare.
In the state capital, activists of various outfits, including ‘India Against Corruption’, staged dharna along the Mahatma Gandhi Marg extending full support to Hazare in his struggle for an effective Jan Lokpal legislation.
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Dubbing the action on Hazare as “murder of democracy,” rights activist Prafulla Samantara said people were backing the movement for ensuring probity in public life.
A number of youths from different walks of life also staged a hunger strike under the banner of ‘Orissa Against Corruption’ expressing solidarity with the anti-corruption movement launched by Hazare.
“We condemn the detention of Hazare. The crackdown reminds of the colonial rule. But his campaign cannot be suppressed through this undemocratic action as people across the country support him,” an activist said.
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Reports of demonstrations, dharnas and rallies in support of Hazare and his movement were also received from Berhampur, Sambalpur, Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela, Sundargarh, Bolangir, Rayagada, Keonjhar and Bhawanipatna.
A motor-cycle procession was taken out in Sambalpur against Hazare’s detention.