The District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills has clamped restrictions on the bursting of fireworks in the district as Diwali, which falls on November 12 this year, approaches.
In an order issued on November 1 but only shared with the media today, RM Kurbah said that information has been received of illegal sale and bursting of fireworks in the district.
Crackers can only be bought from “recognised retail outlets”, she said and need to be domestically made, result in acceptable levels of air pollution and meet noise restrictions, etc.
Fireworks can only be used between 8pm and 10pm, with bans on their use in “silence zones” around hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health care centres, educational institutions, courts, religious places or any other areas that may be declared as silence zones by the concerned authorities.
Kurbah, using her powers under Section 144 of the CrPC, prohibited the sale, purchase and procurement of crackers/fireworks “producing bursting sound except Tarabatti (all types) and tubri (without sound) in all public places and public thoroughfares”.