Action on firecracker stalls sparks protest

Police action against unauthorised firecracker vends at Burlton Park stirred tensions as vendors staged a protest on Monday afternoon. The park, which traditionally hosts the city’s largest firecracker market during the festive season, saw a heavy police presence after complaints surfaced about unlicensed stalls operating on the grounds. The police inspected documentation, including bill books and allegedly confiscated firecrackers from some shops.

Police authorities claimed that the inspection was part of an effort to enforce regulations surrounding the sale of firecrackers. Officers checked the licenses of all traders, revealing that only a few vendors possessed valid permits. The police seized records from those unable to produce the required licenses.

The city police have issued 20 temporary licenses for firecracker sales in the district under the Explosives Rules of 2008, distributed through a draw system. Despite this, over 100 vendors had set up booths at Burlton Park, indicating a significant number of unauthorised stalls.

However, the police crackdown did not sit well with traders, who quickly organised a protest. Upset over what they saw as undue interference in their operations, vendors closed the market and blocked the DAV flyover, causing significant disruption to traffic in the area.

Commuters faced delays as traffic built up amidst the festive rush. Traders argued that the city has traditionally allowed a large number of stalls to operate each year without issue, and they criticized the police for what they described as unnecessary hurdles in their business during the crucial festive season.

“The police have no reason to disturb us with surprise raids. We are all following government norms and have been operating this way for years,” one trader said.

Meanwhile, after approximately 30 minutes, police managed to negotiate with the vendors, convincing them to end the protest and reopen the road to traffic.

ACP (North) Rishabh Bhola, present at the site, confirmed that the police were responding to specific complaints about unauthorised firecracker sales. “No FIR has been lodged, no one has been detained and no materials have been seized,” Bhola clarified, addressing rumours circulating after the raid.

He added that some traders’ documentation has been forwarded to the GST department for verification, and further action will be based on their report.