SIKKIM REVELLERS THROW RESTRICTION INTO DUSTBINCrackers burst well after deadline

RAJEEV RAVIDAS, TT, 31 Oct 2019, Gangtok: Revellers made a mockery of the Sikkim government's decision to allow bursting of "green crackers" for two hours on Sunday for Diwali by not only violating the given timeframe but by also continuing with the fireworks on Monday and Tuesday.

The state's forest and environment department had on October 25 modified its 2014 order imposing a complete ban on production, sale and use of firecrackers by allowing the use of green crackers between 5pm and 7pm on Diwali day.

However, revellers at many places across the state took advantage of the relaxation by indulging in pyrotechnic for three days.

It was not clear if the government was contemplating taking action against the violators. The Telegraph spoke to two senior officers of both the forest and environment department, and police, but they said they were not in a position to offer immediate comments.

A section of the citizens, however, were vehement in condemning the manner in which some revellers rampantly indulged in the bursting of crackers by giving a damn to the law and also the manner in which the administration preferred to remain a mute spectator.

"People burst all sorts of crackers, not just those considered green, well after the deadline. What was even more disappointing was the administration's failure to impose the law," said Sanjay Rai, the chief coordinator of VOICE, an NGO which espouses the cause of environment.

Rai said his organisation was planning to hold a peaceful protest either in Namchi in South Sikkim or Gangtok soon against the use of firecrackers.

"Some are trying to politicise the issue, but our only intention is to request the government to restore the complete ban on firecrackers," he said.

The environment activist said some people were saying the use of crackers for a limited time would not cause much pollution compared to the damage to the environment caused by vehicular pollution every day.

"The point is it is just not about air pollution. The noise pollution some of these crackers cause is very harmful to people with heart and other ailments and animals," he added.

MG Marg, Gangtok's famous promenade, was littered with filth left behind by the revellers the morning after Diwali.

Three youths -- Bikash, Sidharth and Arindam -- had taken up the task of cleaning up the place, becoming instant heroes after pictures of the trio sweeping the street appeared in social media..