Anna supporters burn copies of Lokpal bill

Patna, Aug 5: Social activist Anna Hazare's supporters here burnt copies of the Lokpal Bill today (Aug 5) to protest against the alleged "lack of teeth" in the bill introduced in Parliament on Thursday, Aug 5.

A large number of Hazare's supporters under the banner of an apolitical outfit ''India Against Corruption'' (IAC) gathered near the Patna High Court and burnt the copies of the bill to express their dissatisfaction with the bill that has kept out the Prime Minister and judiciary from the ambit of the Lokpal.

Several advocates of the Patna High Court also joined the protesters in burning the copies of the bill.

The IAC's coordinator Arvind Kumar flayed the centre for drafting a ''weak'' Lokpal Bill that was tabled in the Lok Sabha yesterday and said that the proposed legislation in its present form will not be able to check corruption in public life.

The centre should prepare a strong Lokpal Bill and seek its passage from the Parliament if it wanted to eradicate corruption, he said.

Another IAC coordinator Ratnesh Chaudhary said that Hazare's supporters will visit schools across the state from tomorrow to spread awareness among the students against corruption.

PTI