Curbs imposed on cracker use

The government has imposed curbs on bursting of firecrackers in line with directions of the Supreme Court on Deepavali falling on Sunday.

In orders issued under Section 144 (1) of Cr.PC (1973), T. Arun, district magistrate, said firecrackers should be burst between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. and between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Manufacture, sale and use of serial firecrackers has been banned. The use of barium salts and compounds such as antimony, lithium, mercury and arsenic in firecrackers was prohibited.

The order bars e-commerce sites from engaging in sale of firecrackers and violators will face contempt of court. The order has mandated the police to ensure that firecrackers are not used in silence zones.