The Supreme Court may have banned the sale of firecrackers in the national capital region (NCR) ahead of Diwali, but that mean that this Diwali will be less polluted or colorful.
Street vendors in Old Delhi continue to sell phooljhadis, anars and chakris, caring little to not an inch for the environment or the policemen patrolling the area. The moment these small-time traders are alerted to a raid about to happen, they shut their shops or whisk away the firecrackers to a hidden place.
Esplanade Road near Jama Masjid, until last year used to host wholesalers to sell fireworks due to high demand in the capital, but this year all they could be sene doing was complain about the ban costing them a livelihood.
Despite clear orders from the court that the sale of fireworks be banned in NCR until November 1, a lot of vendors in Chandi Chowk are still seen openly peddling every firework that makes Diwali a day of pollution.
One of the vendors who has a stock of about 2.5 lakh said “We are warned about an impending raid much before the police make an appearance. So we just pack our stuff and run. What are we to do? We had stocked up on firecrackers much before the ban was announced,”
The Delhi Police conducted a raid in Bhagirath Palace area and nabbed two firecracker vendors. “Two cases have been registered under Section 286 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 9b(b) of the Explosives Act. The duo, Israeel and Kaleemuddin, were not even issued temporary licences,” said deputy commissioner of police (North) Jatin Narwal.
Police said they are leaving no stone unturned to curb the illegal sale of firecrackers in their jurisdiction. “We will identify anybody illegally selling or purchasing firecrackers, and take appropriate action. We have teams on the ground to monitor the situation and enforce the Supreme Court’s order,” said spokesperson Madhur Verma.
-PTC News
