In an early morning swoop, the Delhi Police picked up social activist Anna Hazare from his residence in New Delhi just as he was preparing to leave for Gandhi Samadhi at Rajghat ahead of his fast at J.P. Park to press for a strong anti-corruption Lokpal Bill. "This is the second fight for freedom and this movement will not halt now," said Mr. Hazare as he was whisked away with several supporters trying to stop the vehicle that carried him to the Delhi Police Officers Mess at Civil Lines. He was later sent to the Tihar jail after he reportedly refused to offer surety for his bail before a magistrate. "We have orders from higher up," said the detaining officer when Mr. Hazare asked him what his crime was. Team Anna was denied permission to stage his indefinite fast and prohibitory orders were imposed at the venue after they refused to comply with all the riders imposed by the police. The arrest sparked off angry, widespread protests with reports of people courting arrests from different parts of the country and opposition parties slamming the move as an attack on democratic and civil rights of citizens.