Kolkata: In an attempt to stop the sale of illegal crackers at local markets, the cops have decided to go for a new penal section that will force the sellers — usually small-time vendors with limited financial means — to cough up higher fines.
In the first incident on Nov 3, officers took action against two men—Ashok Banik (50) of Tollygunge and Subho Das (35) of Narendrapur—for running an illegal cracker stall in front of 61 Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Road, passing it off as a food stall. Later the same evening, police intercepted an unauthorised stall along the 14 SN Banerjee Street footpath for violating govt directives by selling banned firecrackers. The police have identified some locations, including Phoolbagan, Behala, Tollygunge, Ballygunge, Lake Gardens, Patuli, Jadavpur, Entally and Cossipore, that will have special teams monitoring them from 4 pm from Friday.
Police said reports have come from Beniapukur, Behala Pathakpara, New Alipore, Madanmohantola and Tala about illegal firecrackers being sold in a clandestine manner. “We have already seized a good quantity of crackers and have formed market patrolling teams,” claimed an officer at Lalbazar. “A few apartments and slums will see extra cop deployment,” said another officer, adding that they would be recording all police activities in these pockets for future legal reference.
the lesser quantity seizures, where the ESA is not applicable, have seen cops slapping cases under only the BNS sections While the police are slapping cases under the Explosive Substances Act against organised traders bringing in illegal stocks from the districts and even outside the state. Cases of this nature have already been slapped across south and central Kolkata areas like Kalighat PS, Tollygunge PS and Muchipara PS. Cases have been registered under relevant laws to enforce public order and safety. Cops accepted that some firecrackers have managed to reach the local markets despite best efforts. They will develop strategies after mapping the spots that have a history of maximum air and sound pollution on Diwali in the past five years.
These petty cases are being slapped under BNS section 223 that attracts Rs 2,500 as a fine and BNS section 285, which attracts a Rs 5,000 fine.
“While the total jail term might just be six months, a fine of Rs 7,500 is steep, not to mention regular appearances in court,” said an officer.