Come the festive season and police will be more than eager to crackdown on erring police complexes in Kolkata lighting banned firecrackers. The intention was made clear by JP Singh, ACP (arms) to this correspondent.
“Last year we received a number of complaints from residents around various police complexes in the city on the use of banned firecrackers during Durga and Kali pujas. Complainants mostly do not come forward for fear of vengeance. This time we will ask local police stations under which these complexes are located to maintain strict vigil. Offenders will be persecuted and treated as par with other law-breakers,” said Singh.
Singh’s warning might come as a relief to residents around Bidhannagar, Tollygunge and other police complexes who prefer to silently let go the nuisance created by families of police personnel who they fear might later use their clout to harass complainants. While frequent crackdowns on residential complexes have resulted in heavy penalties, police complexes have largely remained untouched.
“Till last year we have seen that vigilance is lessened after 10 pm, but this time it wont be so. Also it is difficult to arrest minors indulging in such offences during festivities. It takes a huge toll on their families. We will request small traders not to sell banned firecrackers as we do not want them on the wrong side of the law,” said Sudarshan Ghosh Dastidar, minister for environment and PWD at an event in the city on Saturday.
{{/usCountry}}“Till last year we have seen that vigilance is lessened after 10 pm, but this time it wont be so. Also it is difficult to arrest minors indulging in such offences during festivities. It takes a huge toll on their families. We will request small traders not to sell banned firecrackers as we do not want them on the wrong side of the law,” said Sudarshan Ghosh Dastidar, minister for environment and PWD at an event in the city on Saturday.
{{/usCountry}}Dastidar wanted to involve school teachers, students and clubs to spread awareness regarding high decibel crackers and promised strict action against manufacturers of such.
“Manufacturers keep on changing names of their products for which it is impossible to keep a tab on banned crackers. Since we are bound by law, I request environmentalists to seek a PIL in Calcutta high court for a blanket ban on firecrackers,” said Binay Dutta, chairman of West Bengal pollution control board.