With the hype surrounding the protest march of social activist Anna Hazare threatening to disrupt peace in the city, the Delhi police on
Tuesday evening revoked its case against the veteran social activist and his aides and ordered their release from Tihar jail.
Within hours after taking him into judicial custody on Tuesday, the Delhi police asked the Tihar authorities to release Mr Hazare and his seven
aides who are likely to be released by Tuesday night. Two other prominent activists Kiran Bedi and noted lawyer Shanti Bhushan, who were detained
under the Delhi Police Act for apprehension of breach of peace were released on Tuesday evening.
However, the prohibitory orders banning gathering at Jayaprakash Narayan National Park along with the adjoining areas will remain in force. A
showdown between the civil society activists and the Delhi police is likely to take place on Wednesday with both sides refusing to change their
stand on the key issues related to granting permission for holding protests at the park.
“Let there be no doubt that Hazare will continue with his fast. He will insist on being given Jayaprakash Narayan National Park as the venue for
the fast. If the Delhi police can give us Ramlila Ground for which we already have the permission, Mr Hazare will not insist on Jayaprakash Narayan
National park,” Ms Bedi said.
The Delhi police, however, said that permission for holding protest at Ramlila Grounds can’t be given. “We will examine the proposal. It is very
difficult to give permission at this juncture while the Parliament Session is on,” Delhi police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said. The police has
turned Jayaprakash Narayan National Park into a virtual fortress and barricades have been put up along the routes leading to the park to foil any
attempts by Mr Hazare’s supporters to gather at the park.
The officials are keeping a close eye on the situation and have decided to adopt a “wait-and-watch” policy to deal with the crisis. The police has
prepared different contingency plans to deal with protests on Wednesday and are waiting for the situation to develop and act accordingly.
“In case the protesters turn out in any area of the city where prohibitory orders are in force, the violators will be taken into custody,” a senior
police official said.