Anna to fast for 14 days, accepts Delhi Police offer

New Delhi, Aug 17: In a late night breakthrough in the deadlock between Anna Hazare and Delhi police over the duration of his anti-corruption protest, the Gandhian accepted the offer for 14 days of hunger strike beginning on Thursday, Aug 18 at the Ramlila Maidan.

"Anna has accepted the DP (Delhi Police) permission for two weeks (of fast). Anna now shall be at the Ramlila Ground grd post 3PM", Hazare''s aide Kiran Bedi twitted.

Replying to a question, Bedi said there was no pressure by the Delhi Police on Hazare to accept any condition. Anna will be released on Thursday, Aug 18 afternoon. He will be going to Ramlila maidan by 3 PM.

"None of the conditions which we had earlier opposed relating to the number of people to be allowed at the protest venue and parking of vehicles were included in the Delhi Police''s permission for the 14-day fast by Hazare, which is a very good and sensible sign", she said.

Bedi said there is also no bar on extending the duration of Hazare''s protest from 14 days, she claimed. "If necessity arises, Team Anna can get the fast extended", Bedi added.

Bedi said Neeraj Kumar, the Director General of Tihar Jail, got the best medical attention for Hazare during the latter''s stay in the jail.

Eminent cardiologist Naresh Trehan of Vedanta Medicity and government doctors would look after Hazare during his protest, she said.

Bedi said Delhi police showed great "great understanding" and she has always maintained that the city police was capable. She said the Delhi Police, the Anna team and MCD would work together to prepare the Ramlila Ground for Hazare's protest.

Lawyer Shanti Bhushan said he felt very happy that "ultimately good sense has prevailed on the government and it has agreed to permit Hazare to fast for 14 days".

PTI