Now, Pune police bans flying lanterns during Diwali

Mumbai Police passed an order to ban the use of flying lanterns to avert the possible threats

Pune, Oct 29: Taking a cue from Mumbai police, the city police on Friday banned use and sale of flying lanterns during and post Diwali in a bid to avert possible fire and threat to human life and public property.

The ban, which came into effect today (Friday), will remain in force till November 26, police said. Any person, who violates the order, shall be punishable under section 188 of Indian Penal Code, 1980, Pune Police said in a statement.

"The ban has been imposed on the use, sale and storage of flying lanterns from October 28 to November 26, and those flouting the order shall be punishable under IPC Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant)," Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and order), Shashikant Shinde, said.

In Mumbai, following a request made by the Fire Brigade, the police had on Thursday passed an order to ban the use of flying lanterns to avert the possible threats.

PTI