Firecracker sounds rend Siliguri air, cops on alert

The High Court had on 5 November banned the use and sale of firecrackers during Kali Puja, Chhath Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, and Kartik Puja to curb pollution amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

SNS, SILIGURI, 14 NOVEMBER 2020: Despite the Calcutta High Court's order on blanket ban on firecrackers and efforts made by the police, sound crackers were mainly used to mark Kali Puja and Diwali here today.

Though many said there was a marked decline in the use of the crackers as compared to previous years, the sounds of the crackers were heard in Siliguri and its outskirts in the evening and late into the night.

The High Court had on 5 November banned the use and sale of firecrackers during Kali Puja, Chhath Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja, and Kartik Puja to curb pollution amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Police officers, meanwhile, said they had conducted raids to check the sale of the crackers.

"Police are on an alert and conducting patrolling. Necessary steps will be taken against rule-breakers," said the Deputy Commissioner of the Siliguri Metropolitan Police (Headquarters), Joy Tudu.

"We have heard sounds of bursting of high-decibel firecrackers. However, it appears

that use of crackers was less unlike previous years untill late in the evening. Perhaps many people stayed away from burning crackers which illuminate the sky," said a resident of Asram Para, Souvik Mukherjee.

Siliguri Fights Corona, which is spreading awareness against the use of firecrackers during festivals this year, observed that around 10 percent crackers were burst in the town till 9 pm as compared to previous years.

"The rate is satisfactory, but it remains to see what happens tomorrow," said joint convener of the organization, Animesh Bose.