Indian regions call for strict enforcement of firecracker bans

Authorities and community groups in parts of India are intensifying efforts to enforce firecracker restrictions ahead of the Diwali and Tihar festivals.

In Sikkim, the police have issued a directive to district authorities to increase inspections and prevent the illegal sale or transport of prohibited firecrackers. The state maintains a longstanding ban on the manufacture, sale, and use of all types of firecrackers, including sound-emitting and illuminating varieties. Police have specifically warned against the illegal stocking of crackers being transported from neighboring areas like Siliguri.

In Meghalaya, the Khasi Students Union (KSU) Mawprem Circle has requested the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner to strictly enforce noise and air pollution regulations. The union emphasized that celebrations should not disrupt public peace, noting that loud crackers negatively impact children, senior citizens, and patients. They urged the administration to uphold the Supreme Court’s designated time window for firecrackers and to ban any devices exceeding specific decibel limits.