Licences of 12 pubs and bars at MG road cancelled after residents take to streets

GURUGRAM: In a major move taken by the government agencies, the licences of 12 pubs and bars operating in MG road have been cancelled. The announcement was made by Gurugram police commissioner KK Rao in front of the people who had held the candle march on Sunday evening. In the previous protests Cabinet minister Rao Narbir Singh had assured that action will be taken against the bars.

Second time in a row, hundreds of residents descended upon the busy streets of mall mile in order to express their anger loud and clear to the government that they want strict action against the errant pubs and bars.

With PWD minister and Badhspur MLA Rao Narbir Singh also being a part of the protests, there is now a possibility that the state government may go ahead and cancel the licences of a sizeable number of nightclubs located at the MG road. There are over 100 pubs and bars that are located at the Mall mile area.

To strengthen the public campaign, the residents have started circulating the pam- phlets encouraging rest for the citizens to lend their support for the cause. Residents are also claiming that the Chief Minister M L Khatar who will be in the city on August 2 has also decided to intervene the matter.

While the rising crimes occurring at the MG road has prompted the resident bodies to ask for closure of pubs and bars, there is also another side of the story. Hundreds of employees who work in these pubs and bars have also taken to the streets. Fearing the prospects of unemployment, they have demanded that they are being made the soft targets and there are other loopholes that are resulting in rising crime at MG road.

Taking cognizance of the prevailing problem no less than Gurugram police commissioner Inspector KK Rao is being involved in dealing with the major law and order problem. Recently, he had issued a guideline to all the 200 pubs and bars in the city to close at 12:00 am. Regular surveillance is also being made on regular basis by the policemen in plain clothes.

“There are certain miscreants everywhere and so is the case with the pubs and bars of Gurugram. There is no denying the fact that these nightclubs have contributed a great deal in city's economy and we will make sure that these unfortunate incidents do not impact the entire nightlife of the city,” said a police official from Gurugram police.