Illegal firecrackers seized in Andaman

Port Blair, Nov 04 (UNI) The Andaman and Nicobar police has conducted two massive raids and seized huge quantity of illegal firecrackers in the islands.

However, the firecracker sellers in the islands decided not to sell crackers till the situation turned favourable.

''We are not cracker-smugglers, yet we are being harassed by the police. If this situation continues, we will not sell crackers in Andaman at all,'' a cracker dealer here said.

Meanwhile, the lone Andaman and Nicobar Islands MP Manoranjan Bhakta has expressed his displeasure on the restrictions imposed by the authorities on the use of firecrackers during the forthcoming Dipawali festival.

''The restriction is causing unnecessary hardship to the general public during the festival,'' Mr Bhakta told reporters.

To protest the restrictions, Mr Bhakta decided not to participate in the Andaman Day function to be held at New Delhi on November 14.

UNI