Illegal fireworks stalls near Anekal raided

BENGALURU: Hundreds of illegal firework stalls have been set up between Hebbagodi and Attibele in Anekal taluk on the outskirts of the city ahead of the Deepavali festival. Led by the tahsildar and other officials, a team of officials raided illegal firework stalls and shut them down on Wednesday.

Fireworks stalls are set up near Anekal on the outskirts of the city.

Most of the firework stalls between Bommansandra and Attibele opened along the state border are illegal, do not have any licence, and there are no precautionary or safety measures in case of accidents. Some shop owners have obtained a licence for one stall but have opened two or three stalls.

The government officials, under the leadership of Anekal tahsildar, raided the fireworks stalls and checked for safety measures.

After receiving information about the illegal firework stalls, a team of government officials, led by Tahsildar Shivappa Lamani, raided the stalls and checked for safety measures and licence. Illegal firework stalls were shut down and some stall owners, upon receiving the information, locked their stalls ahead of the raid.

K Srinivas, Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner.

“If we find any illegal fireworks stalls, we will take action against them. I have informed the tahsildar to inspect the stalls and to shut down those shops till they obtain a licence,” said K Srinivas, Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner.

Shivappa Lamani, Anekal tahsildar.

“Some of the fireworks stall owners have installed automatic fire safety systems, and we have closed illegal stalls temporarily till they obtain the permission. We send the proposals to the district administration, which finalises the licence for the stalls. I will set up a team to inspect illegal stalls and they will be shut down. We have closed 4-5 illegal stalls today, “said Shivappa Lamani, Anekal tahsildar.