Dimapur— With Diwali just around the corner, the Dimapur police have issued a strong advisory regarding the restrictions on firecracker usage to ensure public safety and reduce pollution levels. Commissioner of Police Kevithuto Sophie has urged residents to avoid using firecrackers, emphasizing their environmental impact, health risks, and the stress they cause to animals and individuals sensitive to loud noises.
To accommodate festive celebrations while maintaining safety, the police advisory permits limited firecracker use on specific days. For Diwali, Gurpurab, and similar festivals, fireworks are allowed strictly between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the timeframe is restricted to 11:55 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
The advisory mandates the use of only “green crackers,” which are firecrackers with reduced emissions approved by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO). The advisory specifically recommends eco-friendly options like safe water and air sprinklers (SWAS). Furthermore, only licensed vendors are authorized to sell these permissible firecrackers.
Strict no-firework zones have been established, prohibiting firecracker usage within 100 meters of hospitals, schools, courts, and other sensitive institutions to maintain silence in these areas. The police have also banned high-decibel firecrackers and those containing hazardous chemicals such as barium salts, lithium, arsenic, and mercury. Firecrackers that produce noise levels above 125 dB (A) or 145 dB (C)pk at four meters are prohibited.
The Dimapur police have warned that violations of these regulations will result in legal penalties, highlighting their commitment to ensuring a safer and more environmentally friendly Diwali for all residents.