Ranchi, Aug 20 (IANS) At least 50 inmates of a jail here in this Jharkhand capital Saturday kept a day-long fast to support activist Anna Hazare's demand for a stronger anti-corruption bill, an official said.


The prisoners were from Birsa Munda Central Jail.

"The prisoners who kept the fast were kept in separate cells," said Jail Superintendent Dilip Kumar Pradhan.

More than 200 prisoners had desired to fast but the authorities approved of only 50, sources said.

Hazare, demanding a Jan Lokpal bill, is getting support from large sections of society in Jharkhand like lawyers, businessmen, students and youths.

College students here took out a procession Saturday.

Supporters hung the effigies of former chief of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Suresh Kalmadi, former communications minister A. Raja and former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda for their involvement in various scams.

Hazare began his fast Tuesday in New Delhi when he was taken to the Tihar Jail and released the same day -- but he refused to move out. He came out of the prison Friday and continued with his fast at the Ramlila Ground.