15 held for bursting crackers in Kolkata on Kali puja-Diwali evening

Altogether 15 people werearrested from different parts of Kolkata for burstingfirecrackers on the evening of Kali puja and Diwali onSaturday, violating the Calcutta High Court order, policesaid.

The high court had last week ordered a blanket ban onthe sale and use of fireworks in West Bengal during Kalipuja, Diwali, Chhath and other pujas during this festiveseason to curb pollution amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We received very few complaints from people regardingbursting of firecrackers. We arrested 15 people till 9.30 pmfor it,” a senior police officer said.

The police earlier nabbed three persons and seizedover 200 kg of firecrackers seized from their possession invarious areas of the city.

The seizures and arrests were made in Ultadanga,Manicktala and Phoolbagan areas, an officer said.

Around 120 kg of firecrackers were seized from agodown on Canal West Road in Manicktala during the day and oneperson was arrested, he said.

Around 90 kg of firecrackers were seized in Phoolbaganand 14.5 kg in Ultadanga on Friday night and two persons wereapprehended, the officer said.

They were booked under various sections of the IndianPenal Code and the Explosives Act, he added.

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