Delhi liquor shops to be shut on Friday, Saturday amid anti-Gyanesh Kumar protests

Liquor shops in Delhi will remain closed on Friday (October 9) and Saturday (October 10) as the national capital witnessed protests by INDIA bloc demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the electoral process. The liquor shops will also be shut ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)'s protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday.The Delhi Excise Department said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure based on inputs from the Delhi Police and the “prevailing” situation, with the aim of maintaining public order.All retail liquor outlets operating under L6, L6FG, L8, L10, L14 and L8 and L14 licences will be closed for the next two days, the department said. However, the hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants having excise licences to serve liquor will remain open.The closure comes amid ongoing Opposition protests against Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of “vote theft”. The CJP has also called for a similar protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday. More than 20,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi ahead of the planned CJP protest, a senior police officer said on Thursday.The officer said permission had not been granted for any protest at Jantar Mantar and appealed to people to refrain from participating in unauthorised gatherings. - Ends(with inputs from PTI)