Government should listen to the people's voice: Anna Hazare

New Delhi, Mar.25 (ANI): Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare on Sunday described the UPA-II Government as being insensitive in listening to the voice of the country's citizens, and also accused the latter of not providing the required support to whistleblowers fighting against corruption and for the nation.

Addressing media after paying his respects at Rajghat, the memorial of Father of The Nation Mahatma Gandhi, ahead of a day-long fast at Jantar Mantar in Central Delhi, Hazare said: "The government must listen to the voice of the people.Slain IPS officer Narendra Kumar was killed because he was fighting against corruption. It is a loss to the society and the nation."

He added: "We believe that if the Jan Lokpal Bill was in effect, no one would dare to kill anyone like this.There are whistleblower-related death cases which the government has not attended to or resolved for years."

Hazare's fast will last from about 11.20 a.m. to 6 p.m. this evening. He has decided to go on a fast over a demand that Parliament pass the Lokpal Bill and a stronger whistleblower protection programme.

Families of murdered whistleblowers like S Manjunath and Amit Jethwa are likely to be at the fast venue. Over 1,000 police personnel will be deputed at Jantar Mantar during the fast.

Delhi Police have given conditional permission to Team Anna to protest on the issue of alleged killings of several honest men and officers by organised mafia or in terror attacks.

This will be the first hunger strike undertaken by 74-year-old Anna Hazare after he called off his three-day fast for a strong Lokpal Bill in Mumbai last December owing to failing health.

Sunday's fast comes two days after an inconclusive all party meeting on the Lokpal Bill at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's official 7, Race Course Road residence.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev is likely to join Hazare at the venue of the fast.

Hazare has said that he will continue his crusade for the Lokpal Bill till the 2014 general elections. (ANI)