Fed up of the constant harassment meted out by the local police, who allegedly force bars to down shutters hours before deadline, bar and restaurant owners from across the western suburbs have written a letter to the Indian Hotel and Restaurant Association (AHAR). Around 50 such owners from the suburbs have been at loggerheads with the cops, who have denied the allegations levelled against them.

They said the cops come and sit in their bars from 8.30 pm or 9 pm onwards and keep pressurising them to keep an eye on the deadline and sometimes even force them to shut their premises four hours before the deadline. The police have stated that their presence is only to keep an eye on illegal activities and not to shut down bars before deadlines.