Delhi liquor shops to shut for 2 days: No alcohol sales on October 9, 10 amid protest
New Delhi: Delhi will have a two-day liquor shutdown this week, with all retail liquor shops ordered to remain completely closed on October 9 and 10 amid heightened security and a planned protest in the capital.
The Delhi Excise Department issued the closure order on Thursday, citing the “prevailing situation” and inputs from the Delhi Police. The department said the measure was being taken as a precaution to maintain public order.
The order covers retail liquor outlets operating under L6, L6 & L6FG, L8, L10 and L8 & L14 licences in Delhi.
The two-day closure comes ahead of a planned protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Opposition parties have also been holding protests over allegations related to the deletion of voters during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The Excise Department's order does not cite the protest by name. It says the decision was taken based on Delhi Police inputs and the prevailing situation as a preventive measure for maintaining public order.
Over 20,000 security personnel deployed
More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi ahead of the October 10 protest, a senior police officer said.
Police said no permission has been granted for a protest at Jantar Mantar and appealed to people to stay away from unauthorised gatherings. Prohibitory orders are already in force in the area.
Authorities have also urged protesters and the public to maintain peace and warned against attacks on police personnel. Police have asked people not to believe or circulate unverified information on social media and to rely on official communication channels.
The CJP and several student groups have been demanding Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over allegations concerning the deletion of voters during the Special Intensive Revision of voter lists.
With agency inputs