New Delhi: The Delhi government has ordered all retail liquor shops in the national capital to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure to maintain public order ahead of planned protests, including a demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar on October 10.
An order issued by the Excise Department said the decision was taken in view of the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police.
“In view of the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police, as a preventive measure aimed at maintaining public order, it is hereby ordered that all retail liquor vends with licences in Form L6, L6 & L6FG, L8, L10 and L8 & L14 operating in Delhi will be completely closed on October 9 and October 10,” the order stated.
Hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants holding excise licences to serve liquor will remain open, according to the order.
The closure comes amid ongoing protests by opposition parties demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The CJP has also called for a youth-led protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 over alleged ‘vote theft’ and the exclusion of young voters from electoral rolls.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das said the party had informed Delhi Police about the proposed demonstration and completed the required formalities. He said young people from across the country were expected to participate.
More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi ahead of the CJP protest, a senior officer said on Thursday.
The officer said permission had not been granted for any protest at Jantar Mantar and appealed to people to avoid participating in unauthorised gatherings.
Delhi Police sources said preparations were under way to prevent a law-and-order situation similar to the one during a CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20, when police personnel and protesters were injured, public property was damaged, and government buildings were defaced.
A police source said the Delhi government had been requested to close liquor shops as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, opposition protests against Kumar continued for a third consecutive day on Thursday, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders visiting Raj Ghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
Delhi Police have registered three FIRs in connection with Wednesday's opposition demonstration, citing allegations including assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing, manhandling and misbehaviour with police personnel. The names of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also figure in the details of the FIRs registered so far.
The Crime Branch has separately registered an FIR reopening the investigation into the violence and alleged ‘larger conspiracy’ linked to the CJP protest on July 20, according to the PTI report.
(With inputs from PTI, ANI)
