Firecrackers worth over Rs 20 Lakh seized in Odisha; 3 arrested

In a massive crackdown, a team of cops conducted a marathon raid across multiple locations in Biridi, Kujang, and Raghunathpur police limits of Jagatsinghpur district, seizing a huge quantity of firecrackers worth over Rs 20 lakh, official sources said on Sunday.

Also Read: Police raid illegal firecracker factory in Mayurbhanj, 3 detained

During the operation, two accused were arrested while five others remain at large. Those arrested include Subrat Mohanty from Nuapari village under Biridi police limits and Bijay Pani from Janardanpur village under Kujang police limits.

Biridi PS case (No-248. Dated 26.09.20025, U/s-288 of BNS, R/W Section 5 of Fire crackers and Loudspeaker Regulation Act, 1958, under Section 9B (1) (b) of Explosives Act, 1884, has been registered in this connection, a press release issued in this regard mentioned.

“Based on reliable intelligence input and under the supervision of Biridi PS IIC, a special raid team led by ASI Bichitrananda Mantry conducted a search operation at around 11.00 PM at the house of accused Subrat Mohanty of Nuapari village, who is a wholesaler of firecrackers. He was selling them to retailers without any valid license,” the official communique said.

“A total of 127 packets of different brands of firecrackers, valued at over Rs 20 lakh in the open market, were seized from the wholesaler’s possession,” the press release stated.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation conducted today, a team of Jaleswar police have raided illegal firecracker factories in Paschimabad and Salikutha localities. Explosives and several other items used for the manufacturing of firecrackers were seized, and a man was arrested in this connection. He works in one of the factories.

Vehicles loaded with illegal firecrackers were also seized following the raids.

With the festive season approaching, police revealed that many firecracker manufacturers from neighbouring West Bengal enter Odisha to manufacture and sell illegal firecrackers across various locations in the State.

Authorities have announced the confiscation and destruction of all seized items to curb the illegal trade and protect public safety.