The Gosaninuagaon police have seized firecrackers worth over Rs 5 crore kept illegally in 56 shops at the Balunkeswar cracker market in the city.
During raids in the last two days, the police shops one after another, evaluated cost of crackers and relocked them in the presence of the magistrate. After raids, adequate police personnel have been deployed in the bazaar.
While permission had not been given to sell firecrackers in the Balunkeswar cracker market, traders had procured the crackers illegally to sell them to retailers ahead of Diwali festival. Cracker retailers from Ganjam and other districts are dependent on this market. After police action, it is apprehended that common people might face difficulties in getting firecrackers for Diwali festival.