Liquor vends to remain shut on October 9-10 amid protests; bars to stay open

The Delhi Government on Thursday directed the closure of liquor stores in the city on October 9 and 10 due to the “prevailing” situation to maintain public order. An order issued by the Excise Department said the closure of liquor vends was based on inputs from Delhi Police and was a preventive measure to maintain “public order”.

“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,” said the order.

However, hotels, clubs, bars, and restaurants with excise licences to serve liquor will remain open.

The order comes ahead of ongoing protests by opposition parties demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged “vote theft”.

A call for protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10 has also been given by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Several student and farmer outfits, as well as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), have decided to join the protest against the CEC.

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 no one has been granted permission to protest at Jantar Mantar and appealed to people to avoid participating in any unauthorised gathering.

In view of the protest calls, Delhi Police sources said they are making all preparations to prevent an unprecedented law-and-order situation like the one witnessed during the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20. “The Delhi Government was requested for closure of liquor shops as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident,” said a police source.

The political scenario in the national capital has intensified, with continued protests by the Congress, Left parties and AAP demanding the CEC’s resignation.

Large numbers gathered at protests led by opposition leaders over the issue in the past two days. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Vadra, along with other MPs, were detained by the police and released on both days.