Cracks in firecrackers ban as Diwali revellers in Dimapur flout rule

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 14 (EMN): Notwithstanding a blanket ban, firecrackers appear to have found their way into the hands of Diwali revellers in Dimapur on Saturday, if the bursts of fireworks and noises that split the evening air were anything to go by.

Recently, the government of Nagaland had announced a state-wide ban on sale and bursting of firecrackers from November 10 till January 2021.

It had stated that bursting of firecrackers releases harmful chemicals which have severe impact on the respiratory health of vulnerable groups, and such pollutants may further prove hazardous for recovered as well as active Covid-19 patients.

It had warned that anyone caught violating the order would be punished under relevant provisions of the Disaster management Act, 2005 and other relevant laws.

However, this deterrent appears to have failed to achieve the desired effect.

A resident of Signal Angami village in Dimapur told Eastern Mirror that she was expecting a silent and environment-friendly Diwali this year because of the government order. 

‘But it is turning out to be the same as before. Moreover, during this pandemic, bursting of firecrackers may prove hazardous to the people,’ she said, adding that people in her locality were also bursting firecrackers.

A resident of another locality said that the issue concerning use of firecrackers and its harmful effect on domestic animals have been regularly raised in the past.

But this time, the worry has been compounded by the pandemic, she shared, adding that she was expecting the people to be more disciplined this year.

‘I am also worried for my one-year-old baby because the noise scares him and he cannot go to sleep,’ she said.

However, a shopkeeper at New Market area said that firecrackers were not available in the market as the government has banned it and the traders have not received ‘license to sell firecrackers this Diwali’.

Another trader in the same market said that people were going to Bokajan in Assam to purchase firecrackers as it was not available in Dimapur.

As the bursting of firecrackers continued on Saturday night, calls made to the public relations officer of Dimapur police went unanswered.

Meanwhile, the officer in-charge of Chümoukedima police station informed this newspaper that no case has been registered in connection with selling and bursting of firecrackers.

He added that ‘at the moment (Saturday evening) Chümoukedima area is silent’.

An officer from East police station Dimapur, informed that ‘as of now, no one has been arrested’. He added that ‘at the moment we are going around the area to conduct a checking regarding the bursting and sale of firecrackers’.

According to him, bursting of firecrackers could be heard from Assam side near the Nagaland gate. He said that there is nothing much they can do as the area is out of their jurisdiction.

Another officer from Diphupar police station informed that ‘at the moment, under our jurisdiction no incident has occurred’. He added that they were also monitoring the situation.