West Bengal Government Takes Steps to Regulate Firecracker Manufacturing
In a series of coordinated raids conducted by the police across rural West Bengal, a staggering 34,000 kilograms of explosives and banned firecrackers have been seized, leading to the arrest of at least 100 individuals allegedly involved in running illegal manufacturing factories. The raids, which commenced on Monday and continued through the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, primarily targeted locations in the districts of Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas.
According to a senior state police official, a total of 132 cases have been registered in connection with the seizures. The crackdown on illegal manufacturing units was prompted by a recent spate of incidents involving blasts at such facilities in rural Bengal. Within a span of just eight days, three separate incidents resulted in the tragic loss of 17 lives, with additional casualties caused by a devastating fire at a godown in the state.
The largest of these incidents occurred in Egra, Purba Medinipur, on May 16, claiming the lives of 12 people, including the prime accused. Subsequently, three members of a family lost their lives in a blast in Budge Budge, South 24 Parganas, on Monday, while another blast occurred in Dubrajpur, Birbhum district, on the same day, fortunately without causing any fatalities. Tragically, a fire at a carbide godown in Malda district on Tuesday claimed the lives of two individuals.
In response to these incidents and as part of efforts to prevent further tragedies, the West Bengal government has taken decisive action. Authorities have ordered the closure of the ‘Bazi bazar’ (firecracker market) in the Haral area of Baruipur, South 24 Parganas district. All traders operating in the market have been directed to surrender their raw materials to the local police station as a precautionary measure. Additionally, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to hold a meeting with the affected traders at the state secretariat, where plans for the establishment of firecracker manufacturing clusters will be discussed.
The West Bengal government’s move to regulate firecracker manufacturing aims to address the safety concerns associated with illegal factories while providing a controlled and monitored environment for such operations. By establishing manufacturing clusters, the government seeks to ensure compliance with safety standards, enhance supervision, and prevent unregulated production.
The police departments across various districts have been instructed to submit reports detailing the explosives and firecrackers seized, as well as the arrests made, to the state secretariat by May 29. This comprehensive approach underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining public safety and curbing illegal activities related to the manufacturing and storage of explosives and firecrackers.
The recent crackdown on illegal manufacturing units and the subsequent efforts to regulate firecracker production demonstrate the West Bengal government’s determination to prevent future incidents and safeguard the lives and well-being of its citizens.
