Annas arrest has echo in Cuttack

CUTTACK: The arrest of Anna Hazare sparked  angry protests in the millennium city as people came onto the streets and held demonstrations against what they termed as “autocratic, undemocratic and unconstitutional action.” People from all walks of life on Tuesday staged a  dharna at the Gopabandhu Park in Buxi Bazaar voicing support for the anti- corruption crusade launched by Team Anna. Activists of the Cuttack Mahanagar Nagarik Mahasabha and India Against Corruption led by Dr Rabi Ranjan Sahoo and Dharmesh Nayak resorted to a sit-in and symbolic fast in solidarity with the civil society fighting for a strong Lokpal Bill to counter corruption in the country. Shouting slogans against the Congress Government, they vowed to continue the protests on a much larger scale. “The arrest of Annaji and his team members is a direct attack on democracy and constitutional rights of the people. The Congress has been rattled by the response to the anti-corruption movement across the country. This is an act of sheer desperation and the party would suffer the consequences,” Nayak said. As the sit-in demonstration continued, common people and passersby were seen stopping at the grounds and venturing into the grounds to express their support. Youth, women and students joined the protest. In the evening, youth and students staged a candlelight protest at the Biju Patnaik Chhak in front of the statue of the legendary leader of the State. The activists have also announced to submit a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil through Collector Girish SN demanding immediate release of Annaji and his colleagues on Wednesday.