Bhopal, Nov 5 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh police have seized illegal firecrackers and explosive materials worth more than Rs 73 lakh in a 10-day statewide crackdown ahead of Diwali, officials said on Thursday.
In a statement, the police said vigilance was stepped up as more than 60 people, mostly children, were hospitalised in Bhopal last Diwali following serious injuries caused by calcium carbide guns.
“During raids across various districts, police seized materials worth Rs 73,71,665, including large quantities of calcium carbide, potassium and sulphur, gunpowder, banned carbide guns and materials used to manufacture them,” the statement said.
In Guna, Myana police seized 16 cartons of firecrackers from a truck, with the total value of the seized goods estimated at Rs 30 lakh. In Dewas, a joint team of the administration and police raided a house in Chandra Tara Colony and seized 21 cartons containing 87 varieties of firecrackers, valued at around Rs 10 lakh.
“Ujjain police seized illegal firecrackers worth about Rs 10 lakh from a house in Shastri Nagar. In Bhopal, a joint team comprising the city sub-divisional magistrate, a tehsildar and police personnel raided three shops in crowded markets and densely populated areas of the old city and seized explosives and firecrackers worth Rs 6.18 lakh,” it said.
In Chhatarpur, Bamitha police seized firecrackers worth around Rs 3 lakh from two locations in Chandnagar and Shivrajpur villages.
In a separate operation, a joint team of the administration and police seized 22 cartons and 19 sacks of firecrackers worth Rs 1.5 lakh from a house in the Sarwai police station area. The total value of the seizures in the district was around Rs 4.5 lakh, the statement informed.
In Sagar, Banda police seized 300 kg of firecrackers, packed in 19 cartons, from Green Land Colony in Jamuniya village, valued at Rs 1 lakh.
Khurai city police separately seized firecrackers worth more than Rs 2.77 lakh stored without a licence in a residential area. The total value of the seizures in the district was Rs 3.77 lakh.
“Seoni police seized firecrackers worth Rs 2.5 lakh, including 22 sacks, from a residential area. In Damoh, Patharia police, with the assistance of Hindoria police station and Kerbana outpost personnel, seized firecrackers worth around Rs 2 lakh from four persons at different locations,” it said.
Morena police seized firecrackers worth around Rs 95,000 in five cases, Narmadapuram police seized goods worth around Rs 90,000 in two operations, and Dhar police seized materials worth Rs 71,107 in Kukshi, the statement added.
Ashoknagar police seized firecrackers worth around Rs 60,000 in two operations, while Shivpuri and Katni police seized goods worth Rs 50,000 each.
“Bhander police in Datia seized materials worth around Rs 45,000, and Jhansi Road police in Gwalior seized firecrackers and explosive materials worth around Rs 15,000. A joint team of Bahodapur police and the Gwalior Crime Branch seized 645.31 kg of calcium carbide from two warehouses in Transport Nagar,” it said.
A joint team of the Jabalpur Crime Branch and Kundam and Madan Mahal police seized 39.5 kg of carbide, 14 carbide guns, and seven circuits and seven plastic pipes used to manufacture them. In Khilchipur town of Rajgarh district, police seized 42 items used to make carbide guns and four such guns from three shops.
Parvati police in Sehore seized 30 kg of explosive material and 585 modified guns, while Sundarsi police in Shajapur seized 205.6 kg of potassium and sulphur and 175 gajakundis from two persons.
“The campaign against the illegal manufacture, storage and sale of firecrackers, explosives and banned carbide guns would continue. Traders and members of the public are urged to store and sell firecrackers and explosive materials only in accordance with prescribed rules and valid licences. They must report any illegal activity to the police,” the statement said.
These crude guns use calcium carbide in a plastic pipe to create a loud blast and sparks. They are often used to scare away animals and birds from farms. However, they are also known to cause severe eye injuries in case of a malfunction. PTI LAL BNM
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