India
Delhi Orders Closure of All Liquor Shops for Two Days Ahead of CJP Protest
The Delhi government has ordered the closure of all licensed retail liquor outlets for October 9 and 10 in anticipation of a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The order, issued by the Department of Excise, Entertainment and Luxury Tax, states that all outlets operating under licenses L6, L6 & L6FG, L8, L10 and L8 & L14 will be shut on those dates to maintain public order.
The CJP is staging a series of demonstrations across the country over alleged discrepancies in the poll body’s Special Intensive Revision. In Delhi, security has been increased with the deployment of about 11,000 additional Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) personnel, bringing the total central force presence to roughly 26,000 – one of the largest deployments since the 2020 northeast Delhi riots.
Delhi Police have not granted permission for any protest at Jantar Mantar and have urged the public to avoid participating in unauthorized gatherings. Police have also directed station house officers to monitor individuals with criminal records, track buses heading to New Delhi, and engage educational institutions and paying‑guest accommodation owners to discourage student participation.
Officials say protesters could enter Delhi via three main routes: the eastern and Shahdara borders with Uttar Pradesh and the southwest from Rajasthan. Barricades are to be installed at entry points and surveillance heightened along these routes. Police have been instructed to prevent any demonstration within the New Delhi district.
The CJP’s “Delhi Chalo” protest is scheduled to begin on October 10 following a demonstration in Mumbai on Friday. Opposition parties and civil society groups have also been staging protests over the demand for Kumar’s resignation.
The Delhi government’s preventive measures aim to preserve public order amid the planned demonstrations.