Jayapur: In a crackdown on the illegal storage and sale of firecrackers ahead of Diwali, Jayapur (formerly Jeypore) Town Police seized 22 large boxes of explosive firecrackers, estimated to be worth around Rs 3 lakh, from a residential building on NKT Road in Odisha’s Koraput district on Friday.

According to Jayapur Town Police Station Inspector Ullas Chandra Rout, the seizure was made during a raid conducted at around 11 am following a tip-off about the illegal storage of a large quantity of firecrackers on the upper floor of a house in the locality.

Acting on the information, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Gobinda Hansda, under the supervision of the Town Police Inspector, raided the premises and found 22 boxes containing different varieties of firecrackers.

The person concerned reportedly failed to produce any valid licence or official permission for storing the explosive materials. Police subsequently seized all the boxes and transported them to Jayapur Town Police Station.

Inspector Rout said storing such a large quantity of explosive materials without authorisation in a densely populated residential area was illegal and posed a serious threat to public safety.

With Diwali approaching, the police have launched a special drive against the illegal trade and storage of firecrackers under the direct supervision of SDPO Archita Mittal to ensure the safety of residents.

Police are investigating the source of the seized firecrackers and the purpose for which they were stored. The department has also indicated that surprise raids will continue during the festive season to maintain law and order and prevent safety hazards.