Jantar Mantar protests demanding resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar: Delhi orders closure of liquor shops on 9-10 October | Today’s news
Delhi will close all liquor retail outlets on October 9 and 10 as a precautionary measure against the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) planned protests at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Delhi government has ordered the closure of liquor retail outlets across the national capital, citing the “prevailing situation” and the Delhi Police’s initiatives as a precautionary measure to maintain public order.
An order issued by the Excise Department on Thursday (October 8) ordered all retail liquor outlets operating under specified licenses to remain completely closed for two days.
“In view of the prevailing situation and the intimations received from the Delhi Police, as a precautionary measure to maintain public order, it is hereby directed that all retail liquor shops with licenses in Form L6, L6 & L6FG, L8, L10 and L8 & L14 operating in Delhi shall remain completely closed on October 9 and October 10,” the order said.
However, hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants that hold valid excise licenses to serve liquor are not affected by the regulation and can continue to operate.
Liquor stores closed ahead of the Oct. 10 protest
The move comes ahead of a planned demonstration on October 10 at Jantar Mantar by the CJP and opposition parties seeking the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of “vote-stealing”.
Several student and farmer organizations along with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are expected to participate in the protest.
The CJP also issued a summons for the rally.
Delhi Police have beefed up security across the capital in anticipation of the protest. According to a senior police officer, more than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed.
The officer said that no permission has been granted for any protest at Jantar Mantar and asked people to stay away from unauthorized gatherings.
After the July 20 violence, security measures were tightened
The heightened security comes after violence during the CJP’s protest at Jantar Mantar on 20
Police sources said the Delhi government has been asked to close liquor shops as a precautionary measure to reduce the possibility of any untoward incident during the upcoming demonstrations.
“The Delhi government has been asked to close liquor shops as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident,” a police source said.
During the July 20 protest, several police officers and protesters were injured, public property was damaged, and government buildings were reportedly vandalized.
The Delhi Police’s crime branch has since registered an FIR and reopened an investigation into the violence and what it described as a possible “larger conspiracy” linked to the protest.
Opposition protests are getting stronger
The latest security measures come at a time when political tensions have intensified in Delhi over demands for Kumar’s resignation.
The Congress, Left parties and AAP continue to protest over alleged irregularities in the election process and demand the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
A large number of opposition leaders and supporters have participated in demonstrations over the past two days.
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Vadra along with several other MPs were detained by the police for both days during the protests and subsequently released.
Rahul Gandhi said the protests will continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigns as Chief Election Commissioner.
With another major demonstration planned for October 10, authorities have increased security across the capital and taken precautionary measures, including the temporary closure of retail liquor stores.
(With PTI inputs)
