Tea Stalls, Betel Shops In Odisha’s Ganjam To Shut Down By 8:30 PM Till June 4

Berhampur: Odisha’s Ganjam police on Tuesday ordered the closure of all tea stalls, betel shops and hotels in the district by 8:30 pm every day till the declaration of election results on June 4.

According to police sources, the measure is being taken to keep a check on poll violence as people tend to sit in these shops and discuss politics, which often leads to fiery arguments and violent attacks by supporters of political parties.

“We have appealed to the owners of tea stalls, eateries, dhabas and hotels to close their outlets by 8.30 pm to prevent violence in the post-poll period. It is a precautionary step to prevent clashes between supporters of various political parties,” Ganjam SP Jagmohan Meena told media.

All inspectors-in-charge have been tasked to ensure that the shops close down by the designated time.

Several incidents of post-poll violence have been reported from Ganjam. A BJP supporter was also killed in Srikrushnasaranpur village under Khalikote Assembly constituency.