Friday, April 1 2005 20:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: The Bar Owners Association today (Apr 1, 2005) called off its strike called in protest against Maharashtra Government's decision to close down dance bars in rest of the State barring Mumbai.

"We would now show strength by remaining open rather than closing down," president of the Association, Manjit Singh Sethi told PTI in Mumbai adding, the bars would open from tonight itself.

Sethi said the attack on bar at Sion last night prompted them to show off their strength.

"The NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) workers are claiming we closed down following their attacks but we need to show we are not cowards so we have decided to open shutter from tonight itself," Sethi said.

Sethi said the NCP leaders should restrain their workers from attacking bars. "If we are attacked then we will give them a fitting reply."

Stating that he would appeal to Home Minister R R Patil to review the Government's decision to close down bars in the State, Sethi said the bar owners from across the State have given a written undertaking that no prostitution or illegal activities would be carried out in their bars.

He said he would meet Patil and give him the undertaking.