Karnataka police issue Deepavali guidelines to ensure public safety
Authorities have directed citizens to use green crackers and restrict bursting activities to the window between 8 pm and 10 pm.
The Karnataka police on Monday issued guidelines for Deepavali, directing people to burst firecrackers only between 8 pm and 10 pm. According to ThePrint, the police stated that only green crackers should be used during this permitted period, citing Supreme Court directions.
The guidelines prohibit bursting fireworks in public places and crowded areas, including bus stands, railway stations, hospitals, educational institutions, and religious places. People are advised to avoid firecrackers near electrical installations, transformers, power lines, or combustible objects like thatched structures and vehicles.
The police urged the public to avoid firecrackers that produce excessive noise to prevent distress to infants, patients, and senior citizens. Citizens were also cautioned against purchasing crackers from unauthorised vendors or online platforms, with instructions to buy only from licensed shops and verify QR codes on packaging.
Parents and guardians must supervise children while bursting crackers and ensure they follow safety precautions. The police suggested keeping a bucket of water or sand nearby and instructed that partially burnt or unexploded crackers should not be left unattended.
In the event of an emergency or accident, the police advised contacting the 112 or 108 helplines immediately. The statement warned that violations of these guidelines could lead to legal action by the police, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, and other enforcement agencies.