Balasore: All shops and commercial establishments within Balasore Municipality and town areas in Odisha have been asked to down shutter by 10 pm till October 21, coinciding with Diwali celebrations.

The Balasore district administration has issued the directive to prevent possible law and order issues during the festive period. ADVERTISEMENT

In an official communication issued on Monday, the Balasore Collector instructed the Superintendent of Police to ensure stringent night patrolling and strict enforcement of the early closure order, with exceptions only for emergency services.

The administration noted that several shops in the town remain open till late at night, sometimes up to 1 am, resulting in large gatherings of people, which could potentially lead to disturbances. “To avoid any

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