Delhi Liquor Shops To Close On October 9 And 10 Amid CJP Protest

In a significant administrative move aimed at maintaining public order and safety, the Delhi government has announced that all retail liquor shops across the national capital will remain closed on October 9 and October 10. This decision comes in response to the proposed 'Delhi Chalo' march organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding the immediate resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The Excise, Entertainment, and Luxury Tax Department of Delhi issued a formal order stating that based on the current situation and critical inputs received from the Delhi Police, all licensed retail liquor outlets must shut down as a precautionary measure during these two days.

Reason Behind the Massive Protest

The Cockroach Janta Party, led by its youth wing, has been spearheading nationwide protests against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process conducted by the Election Commission, while the primary demand of the protesters is the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The agitation has gained significant momentum, with a major demonstration planned at Jantar Mantar on October 10. To prevent any potential law and order issues and to ensure the safety of the public, the city administration has decided to implement a dry spell for 48 hours across the capital.

Unprecedented Security Arrangements

According to senior officials, the security apparatus in the capital has been Notably bolstered in anticipation of the march, while approximately 11,000 additional personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are being deployed across various strategic locations. With this additional deployment, the total number of central force personnel in Delhi will reach approximately 26,000. This marks one of the largest deployments of central forces in the capital since the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, highlighting the scale of the security concerns surrounding the protest.

Police Restrictions and Public Advisory

Despite the planned march, the Delhi Police has officially stated that no permission has been granted for any protest at Jantar Mantar. The police authorities have issued a stern appeal to the general public, urging them to avoid participating in any unauthorized gatherings. To ensure compliance, the police have intensified surveillance at major entry points and borders, while special monitoring is being conducted at the Eastern Delhi and Shahdara borders for those arriving from Uttar Pradesh, as well as on routes coming from Rajasthan in the South-West direction. Barricading has been initiated at all major entry points to regulate the flow of people into the city.

Political Involvement and Timeline

The demand for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar has seen a surge in support from various opposition parties and civil society organizations. Groups such as AISA, various Left parties, and several civil society bodies began their protests as early as October 2. On top of that, Members of Parliament from the Congress and other opposition parties have been conducting protests at different locations in Delhi over the past two days. Following a major demonstration in Mumbai on Friday, the CJP officially called for the 'Delhi Chalo' movement starting October 10. The Delhi Police has instructed Station House Officers (SHOs) to keep a close watch on individuals with criminal records and to monitor buses heading towards the New Delhi district. Also, educational institutions and Paying Guest (PG) operators have been requested to advise students against participating in the protests. Authorities have been directed to ensure that no protesters are allowed to hold sit-ins or demonstrations within the New Delhi district, with a high level of vigilance maintained against any spontaneous gatherings on the streets.