Khordha firecracker mishap: Admin bans firecracker shows; Police conduct raids

The explosion at an illegal firecracker-manufacturing unit in Khordha acted as a wakeup call for the district administration as it has banned firecracker show to be held on the occasion of Dola Utsav, while the police have arrested as many as seven persons for running illegal firecracker manufacturing units. 

In the wake of the firecracker mishap that took five lives, a meeting comprising the district Collector, Superintendent of Police, and IICs of all police stations was convened. 

After the meeting, Collector, K Sudarshan Chakraborty informed that firecrackers were being manufactured at Bhusandapur without permission and that it would be investigated to find out from where the raw materials were procured. 

“A joint squad has been formed and it will conduct raids to seize illegal firecracker units. I will also convince committee members not to hold firecracker shows,” said Chakraborty. 

Superintendent of Police, Khordha, Siddharth Kataria said, “So far we have conducted 17 raids, registered seven cases and arrested six persons. We have also seized 62 kilograms of firecrackers. Our raids will continue and action would be taken on anyone found operating illegal firecracker manufacturing units.”

Immediately after the Collector’s order, Sub Collector Dipti Ranjan Sethi along with some officers reached Banapur where it is a tradition of holding a firecracker show during Dola Utsav. They held discussions with local people and Panchudola committee members. 

“We have requested all the committee members to refrain from holding firecracker show,” said Sub Collector, Sethi. 

“It is a tradition to organize a firecracker show here during Dola Utsav. We have requested the administration to allow us to organize such a show to keep the tradition alive,” said Madhab Chandra Barik, secretary, Banapur Panchu Dola Committee.
 

(Reported by Balaram Lenka, OTV)