The Kerala High Court on Tuesday banned fireworks using high decibel explosive firecrackers during night.

A division bench of Justices Thottathil Radhakrishnan and Anu Sivaraman has given the direction on a plea of sitting high court judge Justice Chidambaresh in the wake of the devastating explosion caused by a competitive fireworks display at the Puttingal temple at Paravur in Kollam, on Sunday.

The court considered this as petition and passed the interim order following a brief hearing. The hearing will continue at a special sitting on Thursday, which is a holiday on account of Vishu, New Year day, according to Malayalam calendar.

The current order prohibits the use of crackers producing sounds between sunrise and sunset. Observing that regulations were required to prevent accidents like the one at Paravur, the court also banned use of explosives without permission. The court has directed the registrar to forward the order to all the departments.

The order is likely to affect the conduct of fireworks displays as part of festivals in temples and churches in the state. The order means that the organisers of fireworks displays can use only low decibel colourful crackers henceforth.

The order will have an immediate effect on the fireworks displays to be held at Trichur on April 17 as part of the famous Thrissur Pooram that attracts people from all over the state and outside. The fireworks display conducted after the midnight is one of the major attractions of the pooram.

In his letter, Justice Chidambaresh had pointed out that the deafening noise and widespread pollution caused by fireworks have been adding to the woes and miseries of numerous citizens living in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has convened an all-party meeting on Thursday to discuss the mounting demand for a ban firework displays during festivals and other occasions and the relief to be provided to the kin of the victims of the fire mishap and the injured.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennthala said that the government was trying to evolve a consensus on the issue as the state is going to the polls to elect a new government. The government does not want to take a unilateral decision on a sensitive issue like this before the election.

He said the meeting to be attended by leader of opposition V.S. Achuthanandan and leaders of other parties will examine whether a blanket ban is practical in a state like Kerala where fireworks displays are an integral part of the culture.

Most of the religious groups and temple boards, including the Travancore Devaswom Board that manages about 1,255 temples in the state, have come out against a blanket ban even after the Puttingal tragedy. Prayar Goapalakrishnan, president of TDB, said the board was against banning the pyrotechnics during temple festivals as they are part of rituals.

The chief minister himself expressed doubt over imposing a blanket ban on fireworks display considering the sentiments of the people. He favoured strong rules to regulate the conduct of such shows for ensuring safety.

The home minister said the police were not equipped to deal with cases involving use of explosives. The director-general of police has pointed several lacunae in the laws; he said adding that the meeting would also discuss measures to overcome this.

Ramesh said that he had given strict instructions to the police to check explosives stored by manufacturers of crackers and fireworks materials all over the state and initiate stern action against unauthorised manufacturers.

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