PCR personnel to detain those flouting cracker norms, become complainants against them

There are 85 vehicles in the fleet of the PCR wing of Chandigarh Police. (Express Photo)

If you burst crackers on days other than Diwali and outside the limit of 6.30 pm and 9.30 pm on the festival of lights, you could be in for trouble as PCR personnel have been told to detain those flouting firecracker norms, and file an FIR under Section 188 (violating prohibitory orders) of the IPC.There are 85 vehicles, including 61 cars and 24 motorcycles, in the fleet of the PCR wing of Chandigarh Police. PCR personnel would be the first to respond to complaints of cracker bursting received by the control room. The PCR personnel were briefed at Police Lines, Sector 26.

DSP (PCR) Udaypal Rawat said, “We have a staff of 510 police personnel out of 560, which work on the ground. We instructed them to file FIR against the people, caught bursting crackers on prohibited days and timings. PCR personnel will be the complainants against the violators.” In its detailed order prohibiting the bursting of crackers, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had on October 13 underlined the specific role of PCR vehicles, stating, “Deploy PCR vans not only in Chandigarh but also in Punjab and Haryana to ensure public safety and keep an eye on people bursting firecrackers beyond the time limit.”

From Tuesday, a total of 1700 police personnel throughout the city, in view of Diwali arrangements, would begin implementing prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC against people bursting crackers. Police personnel would be deployed till 10 pm on October 17 and October 18, and till 12 am on Diwali. A detailed plan about the deployment of police personnel, comprising 27 inspectors, 11 deputy superintendents of police and three IPS officers, was prepared and circulated to all police stations and other wings of Chandigarh Police.

The power of filing an FIR under Section 188 of the Indian Panel of Code (IPC) is vested with officers of all ranks barring constables. Section 188 IPC offers the maximum punishment of six months and fines, which may extend to Rs 1,000. Meanwhile, Panchkula DCP Manbir Singh on Monday issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC, restricting the bursting of crackers on any other day except Diwali, on which crackers would be allowed to be burst only between 6.30 pm and 9.30 pm.