Delhi Police clarifies on Anna Hazare's arrest

New Delhi, Aug 16: B K Gupta, the Commissioner of Delhi Police, has in a news briefing on Aug 16 clarified the reasons that forced his officials to arrest Anna Hazare. He said that the Delhi police feared a breach of peace and thus thought it best to take Hazare into preventive custody, which was later extended into a full arrest.

The Commissioner said that India Against Corruption (IAC) was granted permission to hold their protest at JP Narayan Park under special case but with proper undertakings.

Gupta added that there were intelligence inputs that around 15,000 to 20,000 people would attend the fast while the police had asked them to limit the number of members to 5000.

He further stated that Team Anna was also asked to hold the protest anywhere in outer Delhi but they stuck to their demands of holding it inside Delhi.

Gupta, informed that nearly 1,400 supporters of Anna Hazare have already been arrested. The police commissioner, when asked about the whereabouts of Anna, said that he is at DCP (West) office where he will be produced before the magistrate and will be released on personal bond.

Speaking at a press conference, Gupta stated that Team Anna failed to accept police guidelines to hold protest. He said, “We had no options left but to arrest Team Anna following their intention to defy the prohibitionary orders."

OneIndia News