CP 'dissatisfied' over failure of police to check use of crackers beyond time limit

Kolkata: Though police were successful in controlling the use of loud firecrackers, they reportedly failed to restrict the people from bursting crackers beyond the stipulated time as per the order of the Supreme Court.

Commissioner of Police (CP), Kolkata, Anuj Sharma expressed his dissatisfaction over the issue on Monday.

According to sources, though police had marked the slot for bursting crackers between 8 and 10 pm, in several areas across the city people burned crackers till late on Sunday night.

Sharma himself called up the police control room and sought details about the places where the order was violated.

Sources informed that Sharma has instructed the control room to prepare a list of the areas where the fireworks continued till late night.

The CP will meet the Officers in-Charge (OC) of the police stations where the order has been violated and may seek explanation about why police failed to stop the fireworks after the stipulated time was over.

Apart from this, 1,190 people were arrested across the city on Sunday for disorderly conduct, gambling and using banned firecrackers.

758 persons have been arrested for using illegal and banned firecrackers, of which the maximum number of arrests has been made from the Eastern Suburban Division.

Meanwhile, a total of 400 persons have been arrested for disorderly conduct, where the maximum number of people has been arrested from South East Division.

According to sources, the CP has instructed to execute the restriction and increase vigilance across the city on Monday.

On the other hand, Bidhannagar Police has arrested 31 persons and seized 71 kg banned firecrackers on Sunday night. It has been alleged that in some places under the jurisdiction of Lake Town police station, banned firecrackers have been used.

Use of banned firecrackers has also been reported from Howrah City Police area on Sunday night. Ghusuri, the area where the highest level of air pollution has been reported, also falls under Howrah.