Kohima: As the festive season approaches, Dimapur’s Commissioner of Police, Kevithuto Sophie, has reissued an advisory urging residents to adhere strictly to the ban on bursting firecrackers, aiming to create a safe and eco-friendly environment for all.
The advisory reiterates an earlier directive and highlights the health risks and environmental harm associated with firecrackers, which produce loud explosions and toxic emissions harmful to both humans and animals.
Under the revised guidelines, limited use of firecrackers will only be permitted on specific festival days. Firecrackers may be used between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm on Diwali, Gurpurab, and similar holidays, while for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the permissible window is between 11:55 pm and 12:30 am.
Only Reduced Emission firecrackers, including Improved and Green Crackers certified by the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO), are allowed. Additionally, these items must be sold by licensed vendors to ensure adherence to environmental standards.
The advisory also emphasizes restrictions around sensitive locations. Fireworks are prohibited within silence zones, defined as areas within 100 meters of hospitals, schools, religious sites, and other designated areas. The Commissioner has strictly banned the manufacture, sale, and use of series crackers (laris) and any firecrackers containing harmful substances, such as barium salts, lithium, arsenic, or mercury. Firecrackers generating noise levels above the approved decibel limit are also prohibited.
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