Jammu, Aug 18: Protests in support of social activists Anna Hazare on Thursday continued to gather momentum across Jammu, with more social activists  and students joining the crusade against corruption.
 Students in schools and colleges bunked their classes and staged demonstrations across Jammu with a “strong message” for UPA government to enact a strong Lokpal Bill.
 Students of all five degree colleges in the city boycotted their classes and took out peaceful marches in support of Hazare. Similarly, various student groups at Jammu University also staged demonstrations. SRML Higher Secondary School and several other government schools also witnessed demonstrations in favour of Anna Hazare.
 Hundreds of civil society members including women along with PAK refugees and home guards assembled at historic Mubarak Mandi complex and staged a peaceful ‘dharna’. Carrying tricolours, the protestors chanted pro-Anna slogans, accusing the UPA government of trying to muffle the voice of people.
 Over 100 members of the All State Kashmiri Pandit Conference (ASKPC) also staged protest demonstration and extend support to anti-corruption movement.
 The protestors said that the initiative taken by Anna Hazare was a historic step for eradicating corruption in country and ASKPC was with Anna in his crusade against corruption.
Nirbhow Nirvair Organization (NNO), a Sikh organisation took out a peaceful march and chanted slogans in favour of Anna Hazare at Karan Bagh-Airport Road to support the movement. Harjeet Singh, state president NNO said that government was not taking steps against the corruption and it was the duty of civil society to come forward to awake the government.
 Morning walkers of Akhnoor Road and Bakshi Nagar Parks also observed sit-ins in favour of Hazare.
 Anti-Corruption Manch, Jammu has condemned, what it called, “undemocratic action” of the UPA government and Delhi government in detaining the crusader against corruption, Anna Hazare and other members of his team of civil society, in an attempt to foil his fast and demonstrations.
 “The action taken against Hazare and other members of his team and also detaining thousands of their supporters is dictatorial and against the democratic norms and freedom provided in our constitution to hold peaceful demonstrations, to press for some genuine demand,” Manch chairman Baldev Singh Wazir said.
 He said that though there can be differences among various parties as well as enlightened individuals about the contents and scope of Lok Pal bill, to be enacted in the Parliament, but denying any one the right to express his view point mobilized public opinion for the same and also hold peaceful protest, including fast, to press his demand, was “undemocratic”.
 Scores of Jammu Joint Students Federation (JJSF) activists also staged a protest on Jammu University campus and chanted anti-UPA government slogans. Led by federation president Jatinder Singh, the protestors vowed to continue their agitation till Anna Hazare observes fast.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST