SC order up in smoke across state

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 8

People burst firecrackers past midnight in gross violation of the Supreme Court two-hour limit, but not many FIRs were registered in this regard on Diwali.

Police figures reveal that only Amritsar and Ludhiana recorded more than 10 FIRs for flouting the SC ban.

Barnala recorded seven cases, while the Patiala police registered five FIRs.

Surprisingly, six police districts, including Bathinda city, Ropar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Sangrur, besides Abohar city did not record a single case of bursting of firecrackers beyond the SC’s two-hour limit.

Ludhiana registered 14, while Amritsar lodged 13 FIRs. Jalandhar recorded six cases, while Batala had one. Officials at the state police headquarters said the final figure would be known by tomorrow. Officials said it was not possible to post staff at every nook and corner of the state, but still best possible vigil was kept.

Ludhiana DCP Ashwani Kapoor said they were even checking the Facebook live posts of city people to identify those who violated the court directions. A state government spokesperson said there were not many violations and due to strict enforcement of the orders, the pollution levels have come down.