Youth power fuels protests in Hazare's home district

A bandh being observed in the home district of the anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare entered second day today with thousands of youth participating in the peaceful protests for strong Lokpal.

Responding to a clarion call given by Hazare who hails from Ralegan Siddhi village, the educational institutions and commercial establishments across the district remained closed for the second consecutive day in the wake of the spontaneous shutdown.

Thousands of youth today held a protest rally in support of the 73-year-old Gandhian, who stirred the nation with his peaceful protest against corruption, in Ahmednagar town.

According to local police, approximately fifty thousand youth took to the streets at 59 locations across the district.

The protesters, comprising lawyers, doctors, students and housewives and even commercial sex workers, came out in support of Hazare at various villages and raised anti-government slogans.