Delhi is on heightened security alert ahead of the proposed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10, with the authorities announcing the closure of retail liquor shops and considering restrictions on Metro services and movement in sensitive areas.
The Delhi government has ordered all retail liquor vends in the national capital to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a preventive measure to maintain public order. Meanwhile, Delhi Police has asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to consider closing entry and exit gates at 57 Metro stations and reducing train frequency in view of the proposed protests and the possibility of crowd mobilisation.
The police have also stepped up security across the national capital, with additional paramilitary personnel being deployed and restrictions on gatherings remaining in force.
Here is a look at what will remain open and what will be closed or restricted in Delhi on October 10.
What will remain open in Delhi?
Licensed hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs: Hotels, clubs, bars and restaurants holding valid excise licences to serve liquor will remain open, according to an Excise Department order. However, hotels, guest houses and other accommodation facilities in and around Central Delhi may face restrictions on fresh bookings or operations for a specified period, according to police sources.
Other public services and commercial establishments: No blanket closure of other regular public services or commercial establishments has been announced in the information available. Residents should check specific advisories before travelling or making plans.
What will remain closed or face restrictions?
Retail liquor shops: All retail liquor vends operating under the specified licence categories in Delhi will remain completely closed on October 9 and 10. The Excise Department said the decision followed inputs from Delhi Police and was intended to prevent untoward incidents and maintain public order.
Delhi Metro stations: Delhi Police has requested the DMRC to reduce the frequency of trains passing through 57 Metro stations and close their entry and exit gates from 9 pm on October 9. The restrictions may continue on October 10 until the situation normalises.
In a letter to the DMRC, Joint Commissioner of Police (Transport Range) Rajneesh Gupta cited the proposed protests at Jantar Mantar and other locations in New Delhi district, along with the possibility of unruly crowd movement towards sensitive locations.
The proposed measures are based on the police request; commuters should check official DMRC advisories for confirmation of station closures and service changes.
Train services to New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin: Several trains bound for New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations have been cancelled for October 10, according to a railway order issued on October 9 and reported by The Times of India. The cancellations apply to trains leaving their originating stations after 2 pm on Friday and scheduled to arrive at either station between 4 am and 2 pm on Saturday.
Passengers have been advised to check their train status and cancellation updates before leaving for the station.
Hotels, guest houses and fresh bookings: Police sources have said accommodation facilities, including hotels, OYO properties and guest houses in and around Central Delhi, have been asked to remain shut or restrict fresh bookings for a specified period. Travellers should confirm their booking status directly with their accommodation providers.
Protests and public gatherings: Delhi Police has warned that Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remains in force in the national capital. DCP Shrishti Pandey said protests are not permitted at Jantar Mantar or other locations in Delhi under the prevailing restrictions and that unauthorised gatherings could invite legal action.
Security beefed up across Delhi
The Union Home Ministry has made 221 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), comprising around 23,000 personnel, available to Delhi Police from October 8 to 12. Five all-women paramilitary companies will also be deployed, according to officials.
Police have stepped up vigilance at Delhi’s entry points and are coordinating with railway authorities and cab aggregators to regulate movement towards sensitive areas. Officers have also said that detention facilities are being prepared across districts in anticipation of possible crowd mobilisation.
The security measures come amid ongoing opposition protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of vote theft. The Congress, Left parties and the Aam Aadmi Party have participated in demonstrations in recent days, with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition MPs detained and subsequently released during protests.
The proposed CJP demonstration follows violence during a protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20, in which police personnel and protesters were injured and public property was damaged. Police have said no permission has been granted for the October 10 gathering and have appealed to people to avoid participating in unauthorised protests.
Also Read: Some early trains to New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin cancelled for Oct 10 due to CJP protests: Report
