Ludhiana: After Punjab CM’s take on cracker selling, cops ‘ignore’ violations

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 29

After the Chief Minister of Punjab Charanjit Singh Channi directed the Punjab Police to issue instructions to heads of all police commissionerates and police districts that the police will not harass any cracker seller in any way, the police officials have reportedly shut their eyes against violations.

Now, many small cracker sellers and vendors have already installed their shops in the market and residential areas and have displayed crackers for sale at non-designated places. Though this practice is against the norms, the vendors are taking advantage after the CM’s statement.

Notably the CM had recently made a statement that senior police officials must ensure that petty shopkeepers, especially vendors, should not be fleeced by taking money from them in lieu of allowing them to put stalls for selling crackers and other items during the festive season. The CM had also quoted saying that he also used to sell crackers by putting stalls on road and he knew how the police used to fleece vendors.

A police official told The Tribune that putting crackers stalls at places other than designated markets are not allowed as per the norms but after the CM’s statement, how the police will take action.

“Why do we take action against such violations when the CM Saheb strictly say no to us. We will not issue challan to shopkeepers who will sell crackers on road or outside their houses ahead of Diwali. Even our seniors have told us to be lenient with illegal crackers sellers, “said a police official.

A city SHO requesting annonymity said the CM’s statement had given liberty to unlicenced shopkeepers and they might put stall at any non-designated places. However, this liberty may invite major mishaps as at such non-designated places, the vendors did not ensure fire safety arrangements.

The district administration has already designated a site in Ludhiana only where crackers will be sold by licenced sellers.

Joint CP Headquarters J Elanchezhian he said the police would not harass any innocent shopkeepers but they would ensure that no glaring violations should be there ahead of Diwali.

“We have asked all SHOs to ensure that no illegal crackers godown should come up at vulnerable places like residential areas which may invite any untoward incident. Even crackers should be sold at designated places only so that the administration could take all precautionary measures to prevent any accident. This is for the safety of residents. Two illegal godowns set up in a residential area have also recently busted by the city police,” Elanchezhian added.

Stalls installed

Now, many small cracker sellers and vendors have already installed their shops and stalls in the market and residential areas and have displayed crackers for sale at non-designated places. Though this practice is against the norms, the vendors are taking advantage after the CM’s statement.

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