Veteran anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare will visit the
Naxal-infested districts of Gondiya, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur, as
part of his 41-day tour in the state to galvanise support for a strong
Lokayukta.
Organisers, however, stated that there is no threat to him and that
the places where he would campaign are city areas that are free from
rebel threat.
Mr Hazare will hold gatherings at the police football ground in
Chandrapur on May 11, Indira Gandhi Chowk ground in Gadchiroli on May
12 and at the Sindhi school ground on May 13. “This will be Anna’s
fifth visit to Gadchiroli. He had earlier visited Naxal-infested
pockets of Aheri and Bhamragad. There will be no problems whatsoever
and people are enthusiastic about his visit,” said Chandrashekhar
Bhadange, the organiser in Gadchiroli.
The police too stated that adequate precautionary measures have been
taken. “As he (Hazare) will hold a gathering, many people will visit
and adequate precautionary measures will be taken. We are waiting for
the details of his visit,” said Viresh Prabhu, Gadchiroli
superintendent of police. Mr Hazare will be put up at the government’s
circuit house during his stay.
In the neighboring Chandrapur, the enthusiasm is fervent. “We are
geared up for the event. There is a need to create awareness about a
strong Lokayukta,” said Avinash Ambekar, organiser from Chandrapur.
Datta Awari, Mr Hazare’s close aide echoed similar views. “The fight
is for corruption and hence, there are no problems. In his (Hazare)
tour all the district places have been covered,” he said.
Mr Hazare will visit as many as 36 places across Maharashtra during
his tour. The tour will begin from Shirdi on May 1, which is also
Maharashtra Day and will end at Navi Mumbai on June 5. Mr Hazare will
visit Jalna, Nanded, Yavatmal, Nagpur, Amravati, Nashik, Pune, Satara,
Kolhapur, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai.
Between the tour, Mr Hazare will also head to Delhi to observe a
day-long fast at Jantar Mantar on June 3, along with Yoga guru Ramdev
Baba to press for a strong Lokpal.