Police stations to be penalised for cracker misuse

Dimapur, Feb. 25 (EMN): The district administration of Wokha district has ordered that only firecrackers “with reduced emission (improved crackers)” and “green crackers” are allowed for manufacture and sale. This is in accordance with the directive of the Supreme Court, the DIPR stated in its updates on Monday. Interestingly, it is informed, in the event of any violation of the rules for using crackers, the police station of the area in concern shall be ‘held personally liable for such violation’ and shall tantamount to committing Contempt of Court. The DIPR reported that the deputy commissioner of Wokha district, Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon, has issued notifications informing citizens that in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive only firecrackers with reduced emission or ‘improved crackers’ and green crackers as certified by the Petroleum Explosives Safety Organisation, would be permitted to be manufactured and sold. ‘That sale shall be through licensed vendors and it shall be ensured that these licensed vendors shall sell those firecrackers which are permitted by the Supreme Court,’ the DIPR reported. ‘That only community fire cracking shall be permitted during select events of national/state/local importance after due permission from the district administration. Time will be fixed for cracking as per Supreme Court directives.’ Further, the DIPR stated, “on Diwali days” or “on any other festival” when fireworks generally are used, “it shall strictly be from 8:00pm till 10:00pm.” On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, when such fireworks start around midnight i.e., 12:00 am will be from 11:55 pm till 12:30 am only, the administration was stated to have ordered. ‘In case any violation is found, the concern police station of the area shall be held personally liable for such violation and would amount to committing contempt of court,’ the DIPR reported.