‘Maintenance of law and order’: Liquor shops in Delhi closed on 9-10 October as CJP plans protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar | Today’s news
All liquor retail outlets in Delhi will remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a precautionary measure amid increased political activity and a planned protest by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
According to an official circular issued by the Delhi Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax Department on October 8, the decision was taken based on the prevailing situation and information received from the Delhi Police.
“In view of the prevailing situation and the instructions received from the Delhi Police as a precautionary measure to maintain public order,” the circular said, all specified liquor retail outlets operating in Delhi will remain closed on October 9 and 10.
Why are liquor stores closing?
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
Delhi ordered a two-day shutdown as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order, citing the prevailing situation and information from the Delhi Police. The shutdown coincides with planned protests, including a demonstration by the CJP against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Retail liquor shops operating in Delhi under prescribed excise licenses must remain closed on both days. The order does not apply to hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants with a valid license to serve liquor.
Yes. Hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants that hold valid excise licenses to serve liquor are not affected by the closure order and can continue to operate.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) planned a ‘Delhi Chalo’ demonstration at Jantar Mantar. The protest centers on allegations of vote-stealing, concerns about exclusion from the electoral roll and demands related to the electoral commission.
Delhi Police said permission was not granted for the protest at Jantar Mantar. Police appealed to people to avoid unauthorized gatherings.
The two-day shutdown comes amid a series of protests over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The INDIA bloc also demonstrated in Delhi over this issue. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders visited the Raj Ghat on Thursday as part of the ongoing agitation.
The INDIA bloc tried to march to the Election Commission headquarters earlier on Tuesday and staged a demonstration near Jantar Mantar on Wednesday. According to an ANI report, several opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained during the protests.
Delhi Police registered three FIRs related to Wednesday’s demonstration, citing charges including assault on police personnel, obstructing government work, pushing and manhandling people and misbehaving with police personnel, ANI reported.
CJP plans Jantar Mantar protest on October 10
The closure of the liquor shop also coincides with the CJP’s planned protest in Delhi on October 10.
The party called for a “Delhi Chalo” campaign following its protest in Mumbai, with the demonstration focusing on allegations of “vote theft”, the alleged exclusion of young voters from the electoral rolls and other concerns related to the Election Commission.
CJP chief spokesperson Saurav Das told ANI that the party has informed the Delhi Police about the proposed demonstration and has completed the required formalities. According to him, the participation of young people from all over the country is expected.
Security measures have been tightened in Delhi
Security measures have also been stepped up ahead of the planned protest.
According to a Hindustan Times report, around 11,000 additional personnel from the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will be deployed in Delhi in the next few days. This would take the total deployment of central force personnel in the city to around 26,000, one of the highest deployments in Delhi since the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, the report said.
However, the Delhi Police said no permission was given for any protest at Jantar Mantar and urged people not to take part in unauthorized gatherings, PTI reported.
Police have also ordered station officers to track people with criminal records, monitor buses entering the New Delhi district and engage educational institutions and paying accommodation operators to discourage students from participating in the proposed demonstration, Hindustan Times reported.
Police are particularly monitoring possible entry routes from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, with surveillance and roadblocks planned at key entry points.
Police have also instructed officers to ensure that protesters do not stage demonstrations anywhere in the New Delhi district, officials told Hindustan Times.
