Pune-Ahmednagar highway to be blocked by villagers today

At least 200 villagers from Anna Hazare’s village, Ralegan Siddhi, plan to block the busy Pune-Ahmednagar state highway at 10 am on Saturday to protest what they termed as the government’s inaction in the Jan Lokpal Bill imbroglio.

The decision was announced by Ralegan Siddhi sarpanch Jaisingh Mapari at a well attended gram sabha (village meeting) in Hazare’s village, 75 km north of Pune, on Friday evening.
School teacher and local activist Subhash Pathare told DNA, “We are deeply disappointed with the Central government’s stand on the Jan Lokpal Bill. Hence, we will block the highway and court arrest on Saturday.’’

Pathare said the villagers have also decided not to apply for bail.

“We will not come out of jail until Anna withdraws his fast and the government gives him a written assurance,’’ Pathare said. The mood in the village on Friday was sombre, with most people expressing deep disappointment on the government’s stand. Several folk artistes sang patriotic songs in the village square opposite the temple throughout the day.

In the evening, a group of schoolchildren also conducted a special prayer for Hazare’s health inside the temple.