For a change the plush Bandra Kurla Complex, which is home to several Indian and multi-national companies and is also known for organising various national and international exhibitions, wore a different look. The entire area, which also has the MMRDA ground where Anna Hazare is scheduled to sit on a three-day fast from Tuesday, has been converted into a police camp as Anna supporters wearing Mi Anna Hazare caps thronged to the place.
he Tricolour can be seen along the roads leading to the MMRDA ground. It is expected that more than 1,00,000 people would turn up during the fast. Team Anna today claimed that the anti-corruption crusader would sit on fast from 11 am on Tuesday.
Before leaving for Mumbai, Anna Hazare had told the people and reporters in his home town Ralegan Siddhi that he was not well for the past two days but was feeling better and could go on fast. “I appeal to the people not to indulge in violence. We will follow the path of ahimsa during our fast,” he said.
Office-goers are worried that a large turnout of Anna supporters would cause traffic jams for next three days. Some of them, however, have already decided to visit the fast venue during lunch time or after office hours to extend their support to the anti-corruption movement.
More than 2,500 police personnel have been deployed in and around the protest venue.
Besides, six platoons of state reserve police force, three teams of Quick Response Team and two bomb detection and disposal squads have been deployed in the area. The MMRDA ground will have six exists and six metal detector units. There will also be 16 fire extinguishers.
Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan held a marathon meeting with the police and security officials on security arrangement. Chavan told Business Standard, “I am in touch with the senior officials and have reviewed the security arrangements at the MMRDA ground and adjoining areas.”
A state government official, who was present at the meeting, said, “A comprehensive security plan is in place to maintain law and order. Timely briefing will be made to the chief minister, the deputy chief minister and the home minister,” the official said.
Anna would be escorted by motorcyclists to the fast venue.
Meanwhile, Dalit organisations are holding a fast to press their demand to save the Constitution of India. Dalit Panther leader Namdeo Dhasal has taken the lead to protest against Team Anna’s alleged anti-Constitution moves.
