Cuttack: Police have started a crackdown on illegal firecracker manufacturing factories in the state ahead of Diwali.
Police Saturday conducted multiple raids at Trilochanpur and Mahajanpur villages under Jagatpur area in Cuttack district and seized a huge quantity of explosive materials, firecrackers and raw materials from the spots.
The authorities have also detained 12 persons for their alleged connection with the activity.
According to police officials, acting on several complaints about the operation of illegal firecracker making units, a team of 10 senior police officials along with four platoon force conducted raids across the two villages- Trilochanpur and Mahajanpur.
During the raid, several illegal fireworks manufacturing units were detected, explosives and crackers worth around Rs 50 lakh were also seized during the drive. Police said that similar crackdowns will also start in other areas of the state as well.
A case under relevant sections has been registered in this regards and further investigation into the matter is currently underway.
PNN