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

(Eds: Updating with new inputs)

Kolkata, Nov 14 (PTI) Altogether 15 people were
arrested from different parts of Kolkata for bursting
firecrackers on the evening of Kali puja and Diwali on
Saturday, violating the Calcutta High Court order, police
said.

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

“We received very few complaints from people regarding
bursting of firecrackers. We arrested 15 people till 9.30 pm
for it,” a senior police officer said.

The police earlier nabbed three persons and seized
over 200 kg of firecrackers seized from their possession in
various 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 a
godown on Canal West Road in Manicktala during the day and one
person was arrested, he said.

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

They were booked under various sections of the Indian
Penal Code and the Explosives Act, he added. PTI SCH ACD
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