Indian anti-graft striker hails 'people's victory'

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]




NEW DELHI: Indian hunger-striker Anna Hazare declared Saturday that the nation's people had won a great victory as he announced he would end his fast after wresting new concessions from lawmakers.

"For 12 days, the country's people have stood here -- it is their victory," Hazare, who had gone without food for nearly two weeks, told thousands of flag-waving supporters in a sprawling muddy public venue in central New Delhi.

The 74-year-old Hazare said he would end his hunger strike that has galvanised huge public support on Sunday morning.

"At 10 am (0430 GMT) tomorrow (Sunday) I want to break my fast among all of you," he said, urging his supporters not to create disturbances with their celebrations.

"You have to celebrate, but with peace. Don't disturb the peace," Hazare told the crowd, declaring: "Victory to Mother India, hail the motherland, long live the revolution!"

The activist's announcement that he would end his fast followed a day-long parliamentary debate in parliament in which Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee declared lawmakers had agreed to Hazare's demands in principle. (AFP)