Deepavali saw the Assam police cracking down on those who violated Supreme Court orders by bursting firecrackers outside the stipulated time. Over 10 people have been booked by the Dispur police as of Wednesday for bursting fireworks before 8pm which is outside the time fixed by the state government for Deepavali.
On the other hand, Bharalu Police arrested 20 people for bursting crackers after 10pm on Wednesday. Police also laid a operation in many parts of the Guwahati including Ganeshguri and Dispur.
The top court allowed "safe and green" crackers from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali, when fireworks add to toxic smog in the environment and create massive pollution in mostly in the metro cities . No "low-emission" firecrackers exist yet, so today's order may well be a ban. "We tried to strike a balance," said the court, announcing a two-hour limit for bursting crackers at festivals and weddings.
