DARJEELING: As voting for Indian Idol finalist Prashant Tamang climbs to a frenzy in Darjeeling, the administration has ordered all liquor shops closed from September 22 till September 24 to prevent riotous celebrations or mourning. The no-booze order may, in fact, lead to more votes for Tamang because many Hills residents can now approach voting booths without the fear of drunken fans. The shut-down order on liquor shops comes into effect at 5 pm on Saturday. It is being enforced as a precautionary measure, apprehending a backlash for whatever maybe the result on Sunday — ecstasy after Tamang’s victory or agony over his defeat. “The liquor sale ban is normally enforced during important festivals but with the Hills engulfed in Prashant frenzy, it is best to keep things under control,” said an official. “We have reports about drunken people creating ruckus at night when voting for Prashant, which is why we enforced this order,” said district magistrate Rajesh Pandey. “The ban has been enforced as per the Bengal Excise Act. It will be lifted after September 24. Bars and hotels serving liquor are exempted from the order, said Pandey. It was the Prashant Fan Club, which had appealed for the ban on sale of liquor, Darjeeling SP Rajesh Suborno said. “Whether Prashant wins or loses, trouble is definitely on the cards which will be compounded if there are drunken people around,” said Tenzing Khambachay, president of the Fan Club. “We want to keep the situation normal. Many students and elderly people come out to vote at night and we don’t want them to be troubled,” added Khambachay. The liquor ban has enthused Prashant’s fans. “I wanted to be part of the crowd going out to vote from booths at night but was afraid of the drunkards. The ban is good,” said Deepa Singh, a student. The Hill boy’s fans are leaving no stone unturned to crown him the Idol. Round-the-clock voting is on in Darjeeling and Sikkim since Friday. Free booths have been set up across the hills, Sikkim and in parts of the Dooars. People from Kathmandu and Nepalese towns like Dharan, Biratnagar, Birta and Pashupatinagar have been coming to Darjeeling with donations. Nepali-speaking people from south Bhutan are also visiting the Dooars in Jalpaiguri to vote for Prashant.