Liquor shops across Delhi will remain closed on Friday and Saturday after the city government ordered a two-day shutdown, citing the “prevailing situation” in the national capital and inputs from Delhi Police.
The order, issued by the Delhi government’s Excise Department on Thursday, comes as the city braces for another round of protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The closure comes amid heightened security preparations across Delhi, where the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement, has announced a protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. The protesters are demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The proposed demonstration follows days of protests by Opposition parties, including the Congress, over allegations of electoral-roll manipulation. The Election Commission and the BJP have denied wrongdoing.
Retail liquor shops covered under specified licences will remain completely shut on October 9 and 10 as a precautionary measure to maintain public order, according to the circular.
The department said the decision was taken “in view of the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police”.
