Thaindian News

Bhubaneswar, Aug 28 (IANS) Celebrations broke out in several parts of Orissa Sunday with people bursting crackers, breaking into impromptu jigs and distributing sweets to mark Anna Hazare breaking his 12-day fast. His supporters sitting on hunger strike also called off their fast.

In the state capital Bhubaneswar, activists Bhabani Parija and Rajnarayan Jena, who had been on hunger strike since Aug 16, ended their fast minutes after Hazare sipped coconut water and honey mixture to end his fast for a strong Lokpal bill.

Hundreds of people from different walks of life assembled at the fasting venue here and smeared each other with bright colours, describing the occasion as rare and a victory of democracy.

“It is the victory of the people,” rights activist Prafulla Samantaray told IANS. “We are happy that the MPs have responded positively to the issue raised by the people.”

India Against Corruption’s (IAC) Nishikant Mohapatra said: “Ten people were on hunger strike in different places of the state. All ended their fast.”

He said the state will also witness several rallies and other events later in the day.

Reports from places like Cuttack, Rourkela, Puri, Bolangir, Sambalpur, Koraput and Nabrangpur said people began celebrating Saturday night itself after parliament broadly agreed to three key demands of Hazare on the issue of corruption.

Hundreds of people offered prayers, lit lamps, incense sticks and broke coconuts at Jagannath temple in Puri, about 50 km from here, to mark the occasion.