9 held in Kolkata for bursting illegal crackers since weekend
Times of India | 7 November 2024
123 Kolkata: Cops have intensified the crackdown on illegal firecrackers across the city in view of Chhath Puja.
Moreover, the cops have also registered eight cases under the stringent Explosives Act and arrested at least nine persons for bursting illegal crackers since Saturday. In the past 72 hours, four persons were arrested for allegedly being involved in the illegal firecracker trade.
Cops have seized around 450 kg of illegal firecrackers since weekend. The recent arrests were made from the Behala division, which is believed to be the preferred route for illegal firecracker traders. Out of the 730 kg of illegal firecrackers seized in this division in the past 10 days, around 200 kg was seized post-Diwali. However, the seizure of illegal crackers dropped to 5,000 kg from last year's 8,600 kg during the Diwali period. Arrests and prosecutions, too, were fewer, dropping to 300 from last year's 527.
Lalbazar has asked all police stations to conduct frequent raids at the firecracker inOld China Bazar, Chandi Chowk and specific pockets in the added areas of south Kolkata . Rabindra Sarobar, Lake, and Beliaghata police stations have been asked to form special teams to take action against the violators, said a senior Lalbazar official.