6 persons arrested over possession of 350 kg banned firecrackers

Kolkata: Bidhannagar Police has seized around 350 kg of banned firecrackers and arrested six persons on Saturday. Some unclaimed banned fire crackers were also seized from New Town area.

According to police, several teams have been made especially to carry out drives against banned fire crackers. Several suspicious vehicles are being checked daily. Senior officials from the Bidhannagar Police informed that police personnel in plain clothes have been deployed throughout the Bidhannagar Police jurisdiction to monitor any suspicious movement during the festive season. They are also directed to find and seize any banned fire crackers.

Sources informed that police are being deployed at market places where fireworks are being sold. In some of the places, police personnel raided posing as buyers of banned firecrackers. They also informed that around 350 kg of banned fire crackers were seized and six persons arrested during the Saturday raid. Among six, five are the sellers of those banned fire crackers.

Police are also keeping strict vigil on Narayanpur, Airport, NSCBI Airport and Baguiati Police Station jurisdiction to identify if anyone is flying sky lanterns. Previously, Bidhannagar Police issued an order regarding the ban on sky lanterns in selected areas.

"Strict vigil will be continued on the day of Kali Puja and Diwali. The designated time will also be strictly followed. If anyone found violating the order would be taken in to custody as per the provisions of the law," said Amit Javalgi, Deputy Commissioner (Headquarters) of Bidhannagar Police. While checking on banned firecrackers, sources informed that the traffic wing has been directed to do naka checking to prevent rash driving and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Police have also urged the residents to burst permissible firecrackers within the stipulated time granted by the Supreme Court in view of air pollution.