Delhi liquor shops to close by 8 pm over weekend amid ongoing Jantar Mantar student protest

The decision has been taken as a precaution while demonstrations continue at Jantar Mantar. Pic/AFP

Liquor shops across Delhi will close by 8 pm instead of the usual 10 pm over the weekend as a precautionary measure amid the ongoing student protest at Jantar Mantar, government officials said on Saturday.

The Delhi government said the temporary reduction in operating hours was implemented following inputs from the Delhi Police, which recommended additional preventive measures to maintain law and order in central Delhi.

Shops to shut two hours earlier

According to officials, liquor vends across the national capital will operate with reduced business hours over the weekend and close at 8 pm, two hours earlier than their regular closing time.

The decision has been taken as a precaution while demonstrations continue at Jantar Mantar.

Officials said the measure is intended to minimise the possibility of any untoward incidents during the protest period and help security agencies maintain public order.

Decision based on police inputs

Government officials said the Delhi Police had flagged the need for additional precautions in view of the ongoing agitation and advised temporary restrictions in the central part of the city.

Based on these recommendations, the Delhi government decided to curtail the operating hours of liquor shops for the weekend.

Officials emphasised that the move was preventive in nature and aimed solely at ensuring public safety and maintaining law and order.

Similar early closures witnessed earlier

A similar situation was reported on Thursday, when several liquor shops across Delhi shut earlier than usual without any prior public announcement.

The unexpected early closures left many customers unable to purchase liquor before the outlets closed.

Officials said those closures were also linked to precautionary measures taken in response to the ongoing protests.

Normal timings likely after weekend

According to the Delhi government, the revised closing time is a temporary measure.

Unless fresh orders are issued, liquor shops across the city are expected to resume their normal 10 pm closing time after the weekend.

Authorities have advised residents to take note of the revised timings while reiterating that the restrictions have been imposed purely as a preventive step to support law and order arrangements during the ongoing demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.

(With inputs from ANI)