Fireworks continue in Kathmandu Valley during Tihar despite police watch

KATHAMANDU: The trend of setting off firecrackers in celebration has not stopped in Kathmandu Valley during this Tihar festival despite the tight supervision of the security bodies.

Especially the youths let off fireworks in celebration during the Tihar festival. It is said celebratory explosion of fire crackers is high in the inner-alleys than on the main streets and in the outlying areas of Kathmandu Valley this time.

The pace of exploding pyrotechnics has increased since Thursday evening when the Laxmipuja rituals were observed and it will likely continue today as well.

Sharan Sharma, a resident of Chandragiri in Kathmandu said exploding fireworks non-stop has caused sound pollution in the environment while it has also increased the risk of outbreak of fire.

"I could hear the sound of explosion of firecrackers up until 12 pm. It was really disturbing. I could not sleep. I can hear the loud sound of firecrackers exploding even in the morning. I think the security agencies should make their monitoring more effective to check this trend," he said.

According to him, although there is the presence of the security personnel on the main streets and core areas in Kathmandu, their patrolling is only nominal in the inner alleys and the outlying areas in the Valley. Sharma said the smuggling of firecrackers and letting off fireworks continues due to lax monitoring by police.

However, Nepal Police has claimed that it has upped security vigilance at all the 10 transit points of the Valley and intensified checking at various places with the goal preventing the smuggling and explosion of fireworks.

Nepal Police central spokesperson Dan Bahadur Karki said security vigilance has been stepped up in view of the likelihood of increased gambling and explosion of firecrackers during Tihar. He said the police will take under control and initiate legal action against anyone involved in such activities.

Spokesperson for Kathmandu Valley Police Office, Senior Superintendent Binod Ghimire said that the police has arrested and taken action against some people involved in fireworks on the charge of smuggling and letting off explosives.

Assistant Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Anil Poudel, warned of legal action against anyone involved in hooliganism and disturbing public peace, decency and security by drinking alcohol and engaging in other unruly activities during the festival.