DIMAPUR — Ahead of the festive season, the Commissioner of Police (CP) Dimapur has issued an advisory reiterating the ban on firecrackers and outlining guidelines for their limited use during specific occasions.
In a press release issued on Monday, the CP emphasised the need for a safe and eco-friendly environment, and urged citizens to minimise the use of fireworks.
While a complete ban on firecrackers remains in effect, the use of fireworks is allowed from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali and other festivals, and from 11:55 pm to 12:30 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, it stated.
“No items(s) other than the Reduced Emission firecrackers (improved crackers) and Reduced Emission firecrackers (Green crackers: Safe Water and Air Sprinklers—SWAS as prescribed and approved by the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) shall be used during the permitted hours. The sale shall only be through licensed traders and it shall be ensured that the traders are selling those firecrackers which are permissible”, read the advisory.
The advisory strictly prohibited the bursting of firecrackers in silence zones, defined as areas within 100 metres of hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare centres, educational institutions, courts, religious places, or any other designated areas.
Additionally, the manufacture, sale, and use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or laris) or fireworks containing harmful substances like barium salts, lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead, or mercury are strictly prohibited. Firecrackers exceeding permissible noise levels of 125 dB (AI) or 145 dB (C) pk at 4 metre distance from the point of bursting are also banned.
Expressing growing concern over the environmental and health hazards associated with firecrackers, particularly their impact on air quality, noise pollution, and the well-being of animals and humans, the CP cautioned that anyone found violating these regulations would face penalties under the law.
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