The Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, Aotula T. Imchen, has issued an advisory regulating the sale and use of firecrackers during the approaching festive season, urging residents to celebrate festivals in an eco-friendly and responsible manner.

The advisory issued covers Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts, and aims to curb air and noise pollution while ensuring public safety and compliance with applicable laws. Citing various judgments and directions of the Supreme Court of India, the advisory emphasised the importance of protecting the right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution, including protection from air and noise pollution.

Under the guidelines, only firecrackers manufactured, marked, tested and approved in accordance with applicable laws and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) requirements are permitted. The sale and use of firecrackers have been restricted to reduced-emission or green crackers approved by PESO.

The advisory specified that bursting of permitted firecrackers on Diwali and other festivals, including Gurpurab, would be allowed only between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, the permitted time would be from 11.55 p.m. to 12.30 a.m.

Firecrackers containing prohibited or hazardous chemical substances, including barium salts, strontium chromate, lithium, arsenic, antimony, lead and mercury, are strictly prohibited. Excessive or non-compliant aluminium content is also banned.

The manufacture, sale and use of joined firecrackers, including series crackers or laris, have been prohibited. Firecrackers generating noise levels exceeding 125 dB (AI) or 145 dB (C peak) at a distance of four metres from the point of bursting are also banned.

The advisory further directed e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces not to process orders or deliver firecrackers within the jurisdiction. Online delivery of banned fireworks would invite legal action under applicable laws.

On the sale of permitted green crackers, only licensed traders holding valid permits would be allowed to sell them. Traders have been advised to verify their stock and ensure compliance with PESO standards.

The stocking or sale of counterfeit green crackers, including boxes displaying fake QR codes, would be liable to inspection, seizure and cancellation of licences.

Fireworks have also been strictly prohibited in silence zones, including areas within 100 metres of hospitals, healthcare centres, educational institutions, courts and religious places.

Encouraging safer celebrations, the advisory urged residents to opt for organised community fire cracking at designated open grounds identified by the local administration to minimise individual bursting of firecrackers in congested areas.

All officers-in-charge have been directed to ensure proactive monitoring, conduct regular inspections of local markets and enforce strict compliance within their respective jurisdictions.

The Commissioner of Police cautioned that anyone found violating the order would be penalised in accordance with the provisions of law.

(Tovikali, IA Dimapur)