The order, issued yesterday (Oct 11), instructed district officials to enlist the help of law enforcement in the crackdown, first and foremost to inspect all shops selling fireworks to ensure they have permits to do so and those who are legally licenced to sell fireworks are not selling any fireworks deemed illegal.
Any vendors found illegally selling fireworks are to be charged under Section 47 of the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks and Firearms Imitation Act.
Among the fireworks listed as illegal were bamboo shoots, roses, rockets, chicken eggs and any other “forward-shooting firecrackers”, and “any other similar objects that can be physically dangerous and cause other people to suffer”.
Similarly, any persons found using the “illegal fireworks listed, or using any legal fireworks in a physically threatening manner, are to be charged under a public safety provincial order issued on Sept 14, 2016 that will see violators punished Section 5 of National Council for Peace and Order Order No. 27/2016 issued on June 10, 2016.
Violating the public safety provisions incur a penalty of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to B50,000, or both.
The order specifically noted that the crackdown is to ensure that the use of fireworks during the Vegetarian Festival is consistent with the practices and intent of the traditional festival.