Karnataka state police on Sunday issued a ban on bursting firecrackers after 10 pm during Diwali.

T. Suneel Kumar, additional commissioner of police, said that the ban on bursting firecrackers will be in effect till 6 am.

"After 10 pm, no one should burst crackers. It is an order from the court and also from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board," he said.

"If we come across anyone bursting crackers after 10 pm and causing trouble to neighbours, we will take necessary action," he said, adding that people should abstain from using high decibel crackers.

According to the report, shops were directed to halt sales of crackers from 9 pm. Action will be taken on those stores which fail to comply with the order. Around 51 open spaces were set up around Bangalore for the sale of firecrackers this year.  

"Diwali is a festival which brings happiness to people. But while celebrating it by bursting crackers, some untoward incidents might take place. People should prevent such incidents instead of suffering after they take place," said Kumar.

Precautionary guidelines were issued to shop keepers around the city. Some of them include keeping a bucket of water handy, sand-filled gunny bags and the mandatory fire extinguishers, said DNA.

Stringent measures were imposed in the Delhi capital. City police directed traders to take down displays of firecrackers outside their shops, leading to a drop in sales. The directive was issued taking into concern the dangers of bursting firecrackers, its damaging effects to the environment and other reasons.

According to Hindustan Times, police said that ban would prevent encroachment and is a security measure against terrorist activities.

To contact the editor, e-mail: