Delhi CJP protest: Liquor vends to remain shut on October 9 and 10 in national capital

The Delhi Excise Department, in a circular issued on Thursday, said, "The closure has been ordered as a preventive measure to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police." Representational Pic

The Delhi government has ordered all liquor vends in the national capital to remain closed for two days from Friday as a preventive measure to maintain public order ahead of a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), an official told news agency IANS.

The Delhi Excise Department, in a circular issued on Thursday, said, "The closure has been ordered as a preventive measure to maintain public order, based on the prevailing situation and inputs received from Delhi Police. The order applies to liquor vends operating under specified licences, including L6, L6FG, L8, L10 and L14."

The circular, issued by Deputy Commissioner (Excise)/Licensing Authority Tanvir Ahmad, spread quickly across the national capital on Thursday, with regular customers lining up outside government liquor vends to stock up ahead of the two-day closure.

The state government's decision followed inputs from Delhi Police about a possible disturbance of law and order by drunk protesters during the demonstration planned by the CJP to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged discrepancies in the poll body.

The Abhijeet Dipke-led CJP movement has planned protests across the country over several days.

In Delhi, the CJP plans to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. The party had held a similar protest at the site in July against alleged wrongdoings in examinations.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has started investigating the violence that broke out during the CJP protest in July and registered a case under relevant sections of the law, sources said on Thursday.

Delhi Crime Branch to investigate July 20 protest violence

According to Crime Branch sources, the probe will focus on the role of those responsible for the violence that broke out in New Delhi on July 20.

The Crime Branch will specifically investigate whether the violence was "premeditated" or whether "criminal elements" entered the protest sites when the CJP called for a march to Parliament.

On the directions of the Supreme Court, Delhi Police has already cancelled 17 FIRs related to the violence.

The Crime Branch will now specifically probe the violence, which involved assaults on police personnel, vandalism and destruction of public property, including police vehicles.

On July 20, a large number of protesters gathered in and around Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Around 30,000 people took to the streets and attempted to march towards Parliament, demanding action against paper leaks and other examination-related irregularities.

(With IANS inputs)