Diwali: Officials raiding unauthorised fireworks units to ensure people\'s safety

Vijayawada: Police, revenue and fire force officials on Wednesday carried out massive raids based on an intelligence input on the presence unauthorised fireworks manufacturing units or those stocking or selling units in nearly 116 premises across the state

The aim was to identify such units and shut them down so as to ensure safety to the people in view of the onset of Diwali festival season.

The state government issued directions to officials to detect unauthorised premises where fireworks were manufactured, stocked or sold recently. “We were on the job for the last few days and a final report would be submitted to the government by Thursday evening,” officials said.

There were reports that some local fireworks manufactures were illegally making flower pots and local bombs to ensure that they burn for long and make high-intensity explosions respectively, especially in areas like Anaparthy, Bhimadole etc.

Illegally made local fireworks cause more harm to the people if they are not handled properly. Fire additional DG Srinivasulu said, “Joint inspections by teams of officials on such unauthorised premises are going on all over the state.

NTR district commissioner of police KR Tata said, “We are taking all requisite steps to ensure the permitted units comply with all safety norms and allow stocking and sale of fireworks at regular places in the city, apart from initiating action against the unauthorised units.”

Meanwhile, the police are collecting the data of the last 10 years for identifying people involved in the setting up of unauthorised fireworks units and binding them over.

East Godavari SP, P. Jagadeesh, said, “We are inspecting all fireworks units but so far have not found any illegal units.”

Prakasam SP Malika said, “We have bound over nearly 130 persons based on last 10 years’ data. Temporary permission for sale of fireworks is being given for only three days from Nov 10 to 12.”