Anna supporters baton charged for forcing closure of shops

The incident took place last evening and over 30 people were detained in the area and later released, police said today.

"These people, who were taking out a rally, were trying to forcibly close shops in the Godh-Dodh road area," City Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana.
Since they did not stop after several warnings, police cane-charged and detained them, he said.

According to police, after the detentions, a crowd gathered outside the Umra police station and began shouting slogans.

This is the first incident where supporters of Hazare had to face opposition from the police. Since August 16, protest across the state in support of Hazare's movement have been peaceful.

Meanwhile in Baroda, the Baroda Tours & Travellers Association (BTTA) today took out a rally in support of Anna Hazare and has decided to provide vehicles to those satyagrahis wishing to stage demonstrations for the anti-graft crusade, its president Ismailbhai Gandhi said.

"Our association has taken lead in offering of vehicles to encourage and motivate those wishing to do satyagraha for the noble cause of rooting out corruption, he said.

He said large number of tour operators took part in the rally taken out by the association today and pledged their support to Anna.