Despite restrictions on prohibited fireworks, residents across Kolkata, Howrah, Siliguri and several other West Bengal districts reported loud explosions on Monday, prompting police action that resulted in 67 arrests and the seizure of approximately 12 kg of banned firecrackers.
At A Glance
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Kolkata Police arrested 67 people by 8.30 p.m. Monday, including 11 accused of bursting prohibited firecrackers.
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Police seized approximately 12 kg of banned fireworks amid complaints from several West Bengal districts.
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Three people were arrested for allegedly assaulting police personnel enforcing firecracker restrictions in Kolkata.
Kolkata Police intensified enforcement against prohibited fireworks following Kali Puja, arresting 67 people and confiscating around 12 kg of banned firecrackers by 8.30 p.m. on Monday. The crackdown included 11 arrests for alleged firecracker violations and another 56 over indecent behaviour and other law-and-order disturbances. Separately, police arrested three people accused of assaulting personnel who attempted to stop the use of prohibited fireworks.
Kolkata Reports Continued Firecracker Violations
Government restrictions failed to prevent the use of prohibited firecrackers in several parts of Kolkata and neighbouring Howrah on Monday. Although the scale of violations remained lower than on Kali Puja night, residents continued to report loud explosions during the evening.
The incidents raised fresh concerns about compliance with restrictions on firecracker use after the main festival celebrations.
Several neighbourhoods in Kolkata and Howrah experienced loud explosions despite regulatory measures. Similar complaints emerged from Siliguri in north Bengal and different parts of Purulia district.
In Purulia, residents reportedly heard firecrackers being burst until late Monday night. These incidents indicated that violations continued beyond Kali Puja, despite efforts to regulate the use of prohibited fireworks.
Hooghly District Sees Complaints Across Multiple Areas
Hooghly district reported violations in several locations, although authorities managed to maintain relatively better control in the Arambagh subdivision.
However, complaints continued to emerge from areas under the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate.
Residents reported incidents of prohibited firecracker use in Dankuni, Uttarpara, Rishra, Serampore, Bhadreshwar, Chandannagar and Chinsurah.
Several rural police station jurisdictions also witnessed similar complaints. These included Chanditala, Haripal, Tarakeswar, Mogra and Singur.
The spread of reports across these locations indicated that firecracker restrictions remained a challenge for enforcement agencies even outside the main urban centres.
Firecracker Noise Complaints Across Several Districts
Police received further complaints from Nadia, Murshidabad, East Burdwan, West Burdwan and North 24 Parganas.
Residents alleged that people violated prescribed noise limits and restrictions on the permitted hours for bursting fireworks.
Similar complaints emerged from Krishnanagar, Kalyani, Ranaghat and Santipur.
In Murshidabad district, residents of Berhampore, Jangipur, Raghunathganj, Beldanga and Domkal reported persistent firecracker noise. According to their complaints, the explosions continued even after 10 p.m. on Monday.
The reports highlighted continued violations of restrictions governing both the permissible timing and noise levels of fireworks.
Three Arrested for Attacking On-Duty Police Personnel
Separately, Kolkata Police arrested three people in connection with two incidents involving alleged assaults on police personnel.
The incidents occurred in Tiljala in east Kolkata and Netaji Nagar in south Kolkata on Kali Puja night.
According to the reports, the accused allegedly attacked police personnel who were attempting to prevent people from bursting prohibited firecrackers.
The incidents highlighted the difficulties faced by law enforcement personnel while enforcing restrictions during the festive period.
67 Arrested, 12 Kg of Banned Fireworks Seized
By 8.30 p.m. on Monday, Kolkata Police had arrested 67 people and seized approximately 12 kg of prohibited fireworks.
Of the total arrests, 11 were linked to alleged violations involving banned firecrackers. Police detained another 56 people over indecent behaviour and other disturbances affecting law and order.
The enforcement action followed complaints from several parts of West Bengal, where residents reported continued firecracker use despite government restrictions.
Although the intensity of the violations declined compared with Kali Puja night, complaints from Kolkata, Howrah, Siliguri, Purulia and several other districts indicated that the problem persisted.
The arrests and seizure of prohibited fireworks, along with the reported attacks on police personnel, highlighted the continuing challenges in enforcing firecracker restrictions after Kali Puja. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)