'We must not give up our fight for a strong Lokpal Bill', says Hazare

New Delhi, Aug 19 (ANI): Veteran social activist Anna Hazare, who began his 15 days fast for a stronger Lokpal Bill at the Ramlila Maidan here, said that he will not vacate this ground till the Jan Lokpal Bill comes into effect.

Addressing the massive gathering that has assembled here in his support, Hazare said: "I have lost three kilograms of weight, but I am getting energy from my supporters. The government has looted the country. The fight against corruption will continue whether I am alive or not."

"We must not give up our fight for a strong Lokpal Bill. We will not vacate this ground till the Jan Lokpal Bill comes into effect," he added.

Hazare, who moved out from the Tihar Jail earlier in the day, urged people not to give up the fight against rampant corruption.

"I will join you all people at Ramlila Maidan. We should not let this spirit die down. Our freedom struggle is incomplete till corruption is wiped out. We want corruption to be completely removed from India. The fight against corruption is far from over. The fight for freedom has started," Hazare told his supporters outside the Tihar Jail.

Emphasizing that this is India's second freedom struggle, Hazare thanking his supporters for the massive support said: "The second freedom struggle has started from August 16. India will not really be free until this movement is successful. This movement must not die."

The standoff between Team Anna and the Delhi Police came to an end late on Wednesday night following hectic consultations between the two sides over the proposed fast site and the duration of the protest.

Delhi Police finally gave Team Anna the permission to fast for 15 days at Ramlila Maidan after marathon discussions between the civil society activists and Delhi Police Commissioner BK Gupta.

Initially, the police were insisting on allowing only five days' of protest, which was turned down by the activists who asked for one month.

Police had earlier denied permission to Hazare to hold his indefinite fast at Jayaprakash Narayan Park near Ferozeshah Kotla Ground after Hazare refused to give an undertaking that he would restrict his anti-corruption protest to three days and the number of protesters to 5,000. (ANI)