Cops remove polluting crackers worth Rs4 lakh from market

Nagpur: City police have, for the first time, cracked down against illegal crackers in city, seizing materials worth almost Rs4 lakh between Dhanteras and Diwali last week. Police had allowed the sale, purchase and bursting of only green crackers between 8pm and 10pm during Diwali.
Some 23 offences were registered at different police stations against fire-cracker traders and other citizens violating the norms for crackers.
In two days, city police control room received 44 calls related to crackers, with the callers sharing complaints regarding a number of issues, ranging from violations of time limit, sale of prohibited crackers, disputes over bursting and noise.
Police, who had allowed only green crackers for sale and bursting, went ahead to enforce the rule at multiple levels involving local police stations, crime branch and special squads.
CP Amitesh Kumar issued a notification under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prohibiting any crackers without ‘green label’ and also allowing to burst them only between 8pm and 10pm. “We had repeated meetings with stakeholders alerting them about the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines regarding green crackers, norms of restricted decibels, and also timing regulations. Our stand was clear about taking action. Whoever did not follow the norms faced action,” he said.
The top cop said commando beat marshals were rushed to any location from where citizens alerted police through 112 emergency number regarding cracker-related issues. “Prompt reaction and timely intervention helped police avoid several untoward incidents related to crackers,” he said adding several police vehicles were sent on patrolling and also were asked to remain alert regarding sale, stocking and bursting of crackers in violation of time frame. “Separate teams of assistant CPs and zonal and crime DCPs were keeping surveillance too,” said the CP.