Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie has informed all concerned that bursting of fireworks in “silence zones”– an area at least 100 meters away from hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health care centres, education institutions, courts and religious places is strictly prohibited.
DC said that only crackers with reduced emission (improved crackers) and green crackers will be permitted to be sold through licensed traders and used.
The manufacture, sale and use of fire- crackers generating noise level exceeding 125Db (AI) or 145Db (c) Pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting shall be prohibited and the manufacture, sale and use of joined firecrackers (series crackers or laris) have been banned as the same causes air, noise and solid waste problems, the order said. Fireworks containing barium salts are also banned. As done in other festivals, DC said that the use of fireworks will be strictly allowed till 10 p.m. only and not beyond.
On Christmas eve and New Year’s Eve, the use of fireworks will be allowed from 11:55 p.m. till 12:30 a.m. only. DC also informed that as per the Supreme Court directives, though there is no total ban on use of firecrackers, the public, however, have been advised to refrain from and minimize the usage of the same.