Police in Madhesh Province have intensified efforts to control the illegal trade, distribution, and use of firecrackers in border districts following the death of a five-year-old boy from burns sustained during Tihar celebrations. The boy, the son of Makhu Sahani from Madhubani, Pakahamainpur Rural Municipality-2, Parsa District, died while undergoing treatment at Terai Hospital in Birgunj, according to the District Police Office, Parsa. Police Inspector Bhanubhakta Aryal of the Pokhariya Area Police Office confirmed the incident. This incident follows an earlier report of a child’s death in Parsa due to firecrackers, which had identified the victim as an eight-year-old boy.
The incident has led to accusations against Prime Minister Balen Shah’s government for failing to enforce laws and for alleged corruption within local administration and government bodies, which critics claim has allowed millions of rupees worth of firecrackers to enter the country.
The import, transport, storage, and sale of firecrackers and other explosive materials are illegal in Nepal. The Muluki Criminal Code, 2074, stipulates up to three years imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 30,000 for illegal activities involving firecrackers. Depending on the type of explosive, penalties can range from three to ten years imprisonment and fines from Rs 30,000 to Rs 100,000.
In response to the ongoing issue, Parsa police on Kartik 18 (BS) seized and destroyed illegal firecrackers worth over Rs 700,000. Superintendent of Police Suman Kumar Timsina, information officer for the Koshi Province Police Office, stated that firecrackers worth more than Rs 1.07 million have been seized and destroyed across various locations in Koshi Province in recent days. The Armed Police Force, Nepal No. 2 Battalion Jhapa, also destroyed illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials worth approximately Rs 2.359 million. In Kapilvastu District, materials worth Rs 930,122 were seized and destroyed, according to Manohar Bhatt, chief of the District Police Office, Kapilvastu.
Environmentalist Rajan Thapa warned that smoke and chemical substances released from firecrackers add pollutant particles to the atmosphere, affecting not only human health but also animals and other living beings. The Air Quality Index (AQI) today showed Kathmandu’s air pollution reaching an unhealthy level of 143 AQI by midday, placing it among the top 10 most polluted cities globally.
Police have increased security patrols to control the illegal transport, storage, and sale of firecrackers to minimize potential accidents and damage during festivals. They have also deployed checking teams with sniffer dogs in various locations to control criminal activities. Police have urged an end to the illegal import and sale of firecrackers from India in border districts like Kapilvastu.
Background
- In the past, the government led by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had enacted strict laws regarding firecrackers.
- On Kartik 5 (BS), the Makwanpur District Administration Office imposed a complete ban on the transport, storage, sale, and use of flammable substances like firecrackers and fireworks for Tihar, Nepal Sambat, and Chhath festivals.
What happens next
Police have intensified surveillance and action against the transport, sale, and use of firecrackers, targeting the ongoing Tihar and upcoming Chhath festivals.
