KOLKATA: In a message to parents, cops have taken legal action against people who did not stop their children from bursting crackers on Diwali.
In New Alipore’s Sahapur Colony, cops found youngsters bursting flower pots and charkhas. “These children were aged between eight and 15. Their brothers — aged between 19 and 21 — and, in one case, their father, stood watching. However, since these crackers have been banned only this year and are usually in the legal category, we lodged FIRs under IPC 188 and Section 40 (10) of The Calcutta Suburban Police Act instead of the Explosives Act,” an officer said.
Police said that though there was initial resentment in the area, they knew that the cases had to be referred to the courts.
At Patuli’s Rabindra Pally, cops seized 15kg of banned crackers. “A boy was bursting shells and the locals called us. When we asked him about it, the boy pointed to his father. After seizing the crackers, we slapped a case under Explosives Act,” said an officer.
But cops were considerate as well. “At Baishnabghata, we spoke to a girl who was bursting crackers and she said she apologized. The family had two more crackers, which they threw in water. We did not slap any harsh charge,” said an officer.
On Sunday, New Alipore and Patuli cops said these cases were aberrations. “The children in most places have been torch bearers of the anti-cracker movement,” said an OC.