Fast on,Anna threatens to stop water if arrested or force fed

The Hazare team also expressed satisfaction at the choice of venue — Jai Prakash Narain Park near Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium — offered to them by police for the fast.

Activist Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the people to maintain calm during the fast.

“We have got reports that in some places,troublemakers might enter the protest and try to spread violence. We appeal to the people to be aware of such elements,” he said.

To finetune the strategy for the protest,the core committee of the Hazare team met here this morning and appealed to people to organise a relay fast on August 16.

Team Anna is demanding the withdrawal of the “anti-poor,anti-Dalit,weak” Bill and seeking the introduction of a stronger one.

Arvind Kejriwal,a close associate of Hazare,said there was no going back on the demands raised by them.

“We are not ready to compromise with anyone till our demands are met. The deadlock continues. We are open for any dialogue but there is no invitation from the government yet,” he said.

Kejriwal was reacting to activist Swami Agnivesh’s comments that the Hazare team was “very very flexible” on issues like the inclusion of Prime Minister or higher judiciary under the ambit of the ombudsman but the sticking point is bringing lower bureaucracy in it.

“Hazare has said if the government arrests him forcefully at any time — before the fast or during the fast and tries to force feed him — then he will stop drinking water,” he said.

Kejriwal said Hazare will make an appeal to the nation on Independence Day to join the protest.

The Hazare team also appealed to countrymen to switch off lights and light a lamp between 8 pm and 9 pm on August 15.

“We want to switch off the lights because our freedom is incomplete with corruption,poverty and illiteracy. Light a lamp as a symbol of hope,” he said.