Though administration has issued strict instructions to the shopkeepers not to set shops for selling firecrackers in the prohibited areas, some shopkeepers in the city have pitched stalls in the same areas, defying the order.
However, Dehradun City Magistrate GC Gunwant led a team that inspected the busy market areas and seized firecrackers from the shopkeepers who had set shops in the prohibited areas. Gunwant said around 650 shopkeepers had applied seeking license for selling firecrackers in the demarcated areas for Diwali festival. Most of them were issued licenses after no- objection certificates were received from the fire and police departments.
Gunwant said he led a team on both Monday and Tuesday, inspected some busy market areas in the city and seized firecrackers from illegally installed shops in Peetalmandi, lalpul and Nashvila road.
The administrative officers and the police officers have been directed to conduct such drives. Those found setting shops in the prohibited areas or selling firecrackers sans license are to be punished under the law, he added.
He further said that nine places have been identified for selling fire crackers during the Diwali festival. The license has been issued to the shopkeepers on temporary basis for five days from October 19 to October 23.
The demarcated areas are Parade Ground in the Dalanwala area, Ramleela Ground in Cantt area, Dussehra Ground in Premnagar, ITI Ground in Patelnagar area, Bannu School Ground in Nehru Colony area, Dussehra Ground in Clamant Town area, Block Ground, Tapowan in Raipur, open Ground in front of Sai wedding points in Vasant Vihar and Ramleela Ground Keshavpuri Naibasti in Doiwala.
The shopkeepers who are not having license for selling firecrackers will not be allowed to set shop in the city, he added.
Some shopkeepers said that though the district administration had demarcated areas for selling firecrackers in the city the administration has not provided necessary arrangements there.