Berhampur: In a major crackdown on illegal sale of cracker ahead of Diwali, local administration officials sealed as many as 80 shops at Balunkeswar cracker market in Berhampur.
As per reports, the stringent action was taken by the administration on charges of flouting of rules laid out by the Supreme Court of India. The Fire department said that many shops were opened without fire licenses following which they were sealed.
"The cracker market is located in a very sensitive place and it poses danger to nearby residents. As they have not followed fire safety measures, we have seized the shops," Berhampur Superintendent of Police, Pinak Mishra said.
On the other hand, traders' union refuted charges of flouting fire safety norms.
"There are some last year's inventories which we are selling. In two to three days we will get the new stock. We have not flouted any safety norms," said president of Balunkeswar Fireworks Traders Association, Inku Gouda.