TN records 2,179 cracker ban violation cases

Though the state government had allowed the people to burst crackers from 6 am to 7 am and 7 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday, sporadic violations of the restriction were reported across the city.

The Ambattur police district recorded the highest number with 70 cases booked in Pattabiram, Avadi, Poonamallee and Ambattur. Whereas in Adyar district, 38 cases were booked in which three were from Tiruvanmiyur. In Kilpauk district, 13 cases were booked in Vepery, Ayanavaram and Kilpauk ranges. In T Nagar, 19 cases of violating cracker ban were booked, while three such cases were booked in Royapettah range in Mylapore district. While more than 15,000 police personnel were deployed across the city on Deepavali day, Commissioner A K Viswanathan visited Koyambedu and T Nagar to monitor the security measures and distributed sweets to police personnel on duty.

In Kancheepuram district, 63 cases were booked with the highest number (19) reported from Mamallapuram. Two cases were booked for bursting crackers during idol processions in Kancheepuram district. Devotees burst crackers during a procession from Kamatchiamman temple on Tuesday and the Sivakanchi police registered a case and issued a CSR following a complaint. Similarly, the Vishnukanchi police, too, booked a case for bursting crackers during an idol procession from Varadarajaperumal temple. Police said that Executive Officers of the respective temples will be questioned in connection with the incident.

It is said that there was a confusion among many police officers about the Section under which these cases could be booked. After consultation with higher officials, the cases were booked under Section 285 (Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) of IPC.

Despite the number of cases, no arrest has been made in the city. When contacted, a senior official said that it will be decided whether arrests are necessary in such cases after a detailed discussion in the department.