TEZPUR, Nov 11 - Anticipating breach of peace and deterioration of law and order situation in the district, and also to curb sound pollution during Diwali, the Sonitpur district administration has allowed bursting of firecrackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm during the festival.
The order, which was issued under the provisions of Section 144 CrPC, came into effect today and will remain in force until further orders. Any violation of the order will be punishable under Section 188 of the IPC.
Citing an order by the Supreme Court of India, the district administration has also banned manufacture/sale and use of firecrackers generating noise level exceeding 125 decibel (A1) or 145 decibel (c) pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting.
Use of fire crackers at any time in the silence zones as declared by a competent authority such as areas comprising not less any 100 m around hospitals, educational institutes, court, etc, has also been prohibited.
Moreover, roadside sale of firecrackers, except at the areas designated by a competent authority, has been banned.
In addition, the district administration has also imposed various restrictions on sale and storage of firecrackers meant for sale. Wholesalers will be required to obtain separate permission for retail sale and only valid retail license holders will be able to purchase firecrackers from wholesalers.
All wholesalers will be required to maintain a register of licence holders who purchased crackers from them.
All firecrackers shall be kept in a shed made of non-inflammable materials, which should be closed, secured and inaccessible to unauthorised persons. No oil lamps, gas lamps or uncovered lights shall be used in and around the storage sheds, the district administration said. Display of fireworks shall not be allowed within 50 metres radius of any storage shed and not more than 50 shops shall be permitted to be set up in one cluster.
