Mumbai Police to enforce Bombay HC's no-firecracker diktat; here's how

The Mumbai Police is all set to crack the whip on those who burst crackers outside the threehour window established by the Bombay High Court to curb air pollution during Diwali Cops will patrol the streets and warn violators And if their words fall on deaf ears offences will be registered However several policemen told midday itrsquos virtually impossible to stop the bursting of crackers within housing societies and complexes The policemen however said they will ensure that open spaces where crackers are commonly burst wonrsquot see such activitiesSatyanarayan Choudhary joint commissioner law and order PicAshish RajeMumbai experienced a decline in its air quality on Monday morning with the Air Quality Index AQI touching 193 approaching the lsquopoorrsquo category Based on data from the Central Pollution Control Board CPCB out of 23 monitoring stations 12 reported AQI levels ranging between 200 and 300 indicating poor air quality The most severe AQI was recorded at Deonar at 278 followed by Mulund at 273 Chembur at 247 and Kandivali East and Bandra Kurla Complex where the AQI was almost 240The Bombay High Court taking suomotu cognisance of the issue expressed deep concern about the situation The court directed that the bursting of crackers during Diwali be restricted to between 7 pm and 10 pm daily Earlier this window was from 10 pm to 6 am The court has directed the civic authorities and the police to ensure that its order is complied withCops reveal their instructionsldquoWe have been instructed to patrol the areas in our jurisdiction rigorously after 10 pm We have also been told to respond as quickly as possible to citizensrsquo complaints about bursting crackers after the stipulated timerdquo said a senior police inspectorFirecrackers are burst at Shivaji Park on October 26 2022 PicAshish RajeHe added ldquoWe have also conveyed messages about the matter via various citizensrsquo WhatsApp groups and have also told officers and constables attached to various groups to keep spreading the message and urging citizens to adhere to the courtrsquos guidelinesrdquo The top brass has instructed senior police inspectors to keep a close eye on open areas where firecrackers are usually burst and if possible ensure staff is posted there to deter violators If citizens donrsquot follow the policersquos instructions they will be booked under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servantChallenging taskldquoFrankly speaking itrsquos impossible to keep a tab on each and every housing society but we have involved mohalla committees and societies to ensure therersquos no bursting of crackers after 10 pm Comparing the strength of the police force and the population of the city we cant keep going after housing societies and complexes So we have asked schools and colleges to pass on the message to students as they are the ones who mostly burst crackersrdquo said a senior inspectorStating that police officers will be stationed at all beaches and open grounds another policeman said ldquoOpen spaces will be vacated after 10 pm and no person will be allowed there with firecrackers If we find someone indulging in such activities they will be warned But if they still donrsquot listen they will be booked and their crackers will be impoundedrdquoldquoWe expect the order to have a positive impact on citizens as they are mostly the ones who suffer but we will also make sure it is followedrdquo he addedEven though a strategy is in place many policemen said itrsquos impossible to curb all violations ldquoThe bursting of crackers will mostly start from Laxmi Poojan and will continue until Bhaubheej But as many citizens are complaining about health issues we believe that people will either stay away from the crackers or ensure their society isnrsquot contributing to pollution We believe that most citizens will adhere to the guidelines and are hoping there will be a drop in cracker bursting during the festivalrdquo commented a senior police officerldquoWe have instructed our men to keep an eye on their jurisdiction and we will make sure that the guidelines given by the court are duly followedrdquo said Joint Commissioner Law and Order Satyanarayan ChoudharyCopsrsquo strategygtgt To patrol the city after 10 pmgtgt Focus on open spaces such as beaches grounds and promenadesgtgt Warning citizens who burst crackers after 10 pmgtgt Booking those who ignore instructionsSection 188IPC section criminalises disobedience of an order193Mumbairsquos AQI on Monday