Kozhikode: The large-scale online purchase of firecrackers and their unlicensed trade among local clients have come under the scanner of the police and newly formed vigilance groups of approved wholesale and retail traders.
Despite serving legal notice to some major transport companies, the shipping of online orders for such illegal retailers is reportedly flourishing in various pockets of northern Kerala.
Approved dealers reveal that a Tamil Nadu-based firm is playing a key role in the secret online trade that ensures bulk delivery of crackers to unlicensed retailers. The price charged for the low-quality product is much high compared to that of quality items delivered through approved outlets, they claim.
“There is nothing wrong if a person opts for online purchase for his favourite stock of crackers. We are opposed only to illegal retail of such products, causing huge loss to approved local traders,” says K. Balan, president of Kozhikode District Firework Dealers’ Association. He is of the view that illegal purchase for large-scale retail is indirectly encouraging fraudsters to take up online trade and supply cheap products for a huge margin.
Noticing the adverse trend, around 800 approved suppliers in Kozhikode district have come together to form their own regional squads to keep an eye on large-scale illegal online trade in crackers. The squads, now functional in all panchayats, alert the local police, so that the latter can seize such stock and book offenders.
Mr. Balan says the low-quality crackers obtained through online deals pose huge risks during festivals and celebrations. “Surprisingly, majority of buyers of such products are educated ones who want to spice up celebrations at clubs and group events,” he adds.
Meanwhile, the Kozhikode Rural police confirm that a search is on to track all illegal stockists, manufacturers, and retailers. “On Sunday, we arrested three illegal cracker manufacturers from Kannukkara near Vadakara and seized around 2 kg of gunpowder,” said an officer at the Vadakara police station. He added that the vehicles engaged in the shipping of illegally procured products would also be seized.
