Gurugram: Using strong-arm tactics to pursue their agenda of extreme right politics, over 200 Shiv Sena workers here forced closure of around 500 meat and chicken shops, including international brand KFC outlets, in old Gurugram area for nine days on Wednesday. The Sainiks cited the ongoing Navratras, a 10 day Hindu festival during which meat eating is prohibited, as the pretext for the closure.
The Shiv Sena workers have also served notices to non-veg shop owners and threatened them to shut their outlets every Tuesday in future.
“We have served notices to hotels, dhabas, eateries serving non-vegetarian food, apart from raw meat and chicken shops owners to keep shops shut during Navratri and on Tuesdays. One will have to face consequence in case he does not follow instructions,” said Ritu Raj, the general secretary and spokesperson of Shiv Sena Gurugram wing.
“We have asked customers of KFC to cooperate with us in vacating the place. We have forced employees to turn electricity off inside and pull shutters down for public,” said Gautam Saini, the president of Shiv Sena Gurugram.
Saini claimed that they have complete support of other local traders and they are complemented us for the drive.
Sources said Sena has also approached police and civil administration and that they have supported it.The administration was quite aware of the move and hence they have not objected at any point despite the initiative of Sena was against the law.
Manish Sehgal, ACP, (Crime) and spokesperson of Gurugram police said that he was not aware of anything. The non-vegetarian shops with valid licences are entitled to commercially operate and anyone forcing them for closure would face legal action.