Ahead of Diwali, illegal firecracker manufacturing under Odisha Police lens

Ahead of Diwali, the police administration is imposing restrictions on illegal firecracker manufacturing and conducting awareness drives. Despite all this, such illegal activities have not been curbed yet. Illegal firecracker-making has been taking lives.  In the last few days, several incidents of firecracker explosions have been reported with casualties. 

One can gauge how illegal firecracker manufacturing can be dangerous from an incident that took place in Balipatana area of the Khordha district on Tuesday. Firecrackers worth lakhs of rupees exploded and two persons suspected to be making firecrackers inside a building located on the banks of Bhargabi River on the outskirts of Jainabad village were critically injured. 

Now, police and administration have woken up to such illegal activities and started cracking down on those involved in it. During raids in Jaleswar and Talcher, firecrackers worth Rs 10 lakh were seized recently while three persons were arrested.  

Meanwhile, Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh has appealed to people to report illegal firecracker manufacturing in their areas, so that lives and property can be saved.  He warned of stern action against the violators. 

“We have directed all IICs to be alert. We have issued a helpline number 707778111 to report any firecracker manufacturing activity. The names of informers will be kept confidential and immediate raids will be carried out,” he added.

In Ganjam, three cases were registered in connection with illegal firecracker manufacturing. Ganjm SP Sarvana Vikek M said that raids will be intensified and action will be taken, as illegal firecracker making is dangerous to the makers as well as the community.

Past firecracker mishaps 

October 27, 2023: A two-storied building collapsed at Jagatsahi under Benguniapada police limits in Ganjam in a firecracker explosion. A youth died in the explosion. 

November 23, 2022: firecrackers exploded during an immersion ceremony, killing 2 persons and injuring 45 people

February 28, 2022: Firecracker godown exploded at Ichhapur in Jagatsinghpur, killing three people

October 18, 2017: Firecrackers exploded in godown at Bahabalpur in Balasore, killing 11 people