Berhampur: In a major crackdown on illegal firecracker production, police seized firecrackers worth over Rs10 lakh and arrested three individuals during a raid in Nalabanta village, Ganjam district, on Tuesday.
The operation was conducted by two platoons of police, led by SDPO Sanjay Mohapatra, along with IICs Rajendra Narayan Patnaik (Aska police station) and Krushna Chandra Saha (Kotinada police station).
Police have arrested Buddhiram Sethi, his son Pintu Sethi, and Jitendra Jena. Six others involved in the illegal operation managed to flee during the raid.
Nalabanta, often referred to as the “Sivakasi of Ganjam,” is known for large-scale firecracker production. While some villagers operate legally, many, including women and children, engage in illegal manufacturing and trade.
Acting on a tip-off about a substantial stockpile of illegal firecrackers in the village, police raided various homes and surrounding areas, seizing the contraband.
The police have registered six cases following the operation and launched further investigations to apprehend the remaining suspects.
