(NP): Firecracker Sale Rampant Despite Ban

[Guest guest]

From what we hear here, the ban has had zero effect...

 

Link:

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=aFanata0va3qzpla3Ua4sa.a\

xamal & folder=aHaoamW & Name=Home & dtSiteDate=20081028

 

Firecracker Sale Rampant Despite Ban

 

Somnath Bastola

Itahari, October 28

 

Though the local administration has imposed a ban on use and sale of

firecrackers, rampant selling of firecrackers can be seen in major towns and

rural markets of Sunsari district.

With people welcoming Tihar (the festival of lights) across the nation with much

fanfare, sale of the contraband of various kinds is on the rise in Itahari,

Inaruwa, Dharan, Duhabi, Khanar, Jhumka, Hansposa, Sonapur, Laukahi, Bhantabari

and other places. Despite the fact that most of these places are located nearby

police stations, police are not bothered to crack down on fireworks. It is

reported that many towns, bordering with India, such as Kaptangunj, Devangunj

and Amduwa have been witnessing excessive sales of firecrackers. In most of the

cases, children are being used to sell the contraband. Some children can be seen

selling firecrackers in these places by erecting makeshift shops on roadsides.

According to sellers, minors are misused and the police do nothing to discourage

the sales of firecrackers.

Locals alleged that police personnel were turning a blind eye to the sale of

firecrackers. Bhesh Raj Pokhrel, chief of Inaruwa branch of UPKA Nepal, an NGO

working for children, has urged the local administration to immediately

implement the ban on the contraband and discourage the involvement of children

in selling firecrackers. However, Yadav Raj Khanal, a senior police officer in

the district, claimed that the ban is being implemented. " Law will not spare

anybody if found involved in selling firecrackers. "