Berhampur: Ganjam police seized a large stash of illegal firecrackers worth over Rs 2 lakh from a rice godown at Park Sahi, under Chhatrapur Notified Area Council late on Saturday.
The operation led by Additional Tehsildar and Chhatrapur police uncovered a significant quantity of firecrackers stored without proper permits, violating regulations on explosives and fireworks. The godown owner was detained for questioning to ascertain the firecrackers’ source and potential links to a larger distribution network.
This seizure is part of a broader enforcement drive in Ganjam to curb illegal firecracker storage and prevent related hazards. Authorities plan to continue inspections and raids on warehouses and godowns to enforce compliance.
This came a day after Simulia police in Balasore district seized crackers worth Rs 5 lakh from Begunia village during a raid on the house of a lawyer, SK Okil.
Firecrackers and explosives worth over Rs 4 crore were seized across the state in two days earlier this week as part of a special enforcement drive called ‘Operation Agni’, following an explosion in Boudh district on September 21, which claimed one life and left five injured.
