NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has ordered the closure of liquor shops in the city on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure amid the “prevailing” situation, while protest-related restrictions and congestion have disrupted traffic in several parts of the New Delhi district.The Excise Department order said the closure of liquor vends was based on inputs received from Delhi Police and aimed at maintaining “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,” the order said.However, hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants having 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”. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has also called for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10, with several student and farmers’ organisations as well as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) deciding to join the demonstration, PTI reported.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 permission had been granted for any protest at Jantar Mantar and appealed to people to avoid participating in any unauthorised gathering.In view of the protest calls, preparations are being made to prevent any unprecedented law and order situation similar to what was witnessed during the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20, Delhi Police sources said.“The Delhi government was requested for closure of liquor shops as a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident,” a police source said.The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police has registered an FIR, reopening the investigation into the violence and “larger conspiracy” related to the CJP protest in the national capital on July 20.Several police personnel and CJP protesters were injured, public property was damaged and government buildings were defaced during the July 20 protest.Meanwhile, protest-related traffic restrictions and congestion have affected movement on several key routes in the New Delhi district, with reports of travellers missing their trains after getting stuck in traffic while heading towards railway stations.“We regret the inconvenience caused to commuters, particularly those travelling to railway stations, due to the prevailing protest-related traffic restrictions and congestion,” the Delhi Traffic Police said in a response.The traffic police said personnel had been deployed at critical junctions and diversion points to regulate traffic and minimise delays. Commuters were advised to allow additional travel time and follow directions and advisories issued by personnel deployed on the ground, PTI reported.The political situation in the national capital has intensified amid continued protests by the Congress, Left parties and AAP demanding the resignation of the CEC.Large numbers of people 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 police and released on both days.Rahul Gandhi has asserted that the protests will continue till Kumar steps down as CEC.(With agency inputs)
