Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Shops in many areas of the old city remain open even after the government-imposed 11 pm deadline. This, despite strong protests from BJP MP Alok Sharma and MLA Rameshwar Sharma, who have demanded the same closure time for shops in both old and new cities. They argue that when shops remain open till late, they become points of unnecessary gathering of people and anti-social elements.
However, during late-night hours, shops are open in pockets of Kazi Camp, the Imami Gate area, Budhwara, Ibrahimpura, DIG Bungalow area, and Bhopal Talkies, pointing to a lack of strict enforcement on the police’s part.
Bhopal Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra said that shops in both the old city and the new city are sticking to the 11pm deadline.
Meanwhile, a miffed Alok Sharma has now decided to meet Chief Minister Mohan Yadav over the issue. Confirming the same, he said to the Free Press that he had met the Police Commissioner and the Collector over the issue and would do so again shortly. He said the officers should take a city tour after 11 pm to see the ground reality. However, he conceded that due to police strictness, shops in some areas are closing at 11pm.
Echoing his sentiments, Huzur MLA Rameshwar Sharma also said that there should be a deadline for shops to close every evening.
However, Congress MLA Arif Masood called the idea of closing shops at night baseless. He pointed out that nobody objects to nightclubs and bars remaining open till late. Masood asked if only the poor, making a living by running tea shops or small eateries, are becoming an eyesore.
