Thiruvananthapuram: State police chief T.P. Senkumar has suggested that traditional fireworks should be replaced with laser pyrotechnic displays as it was not practical to ensure the safety of the traditional fireworks using explosive materials.
In his opinion given to the advocate-general in connection with the petition given by Justice V. Chidambaresh at the High Court, Mr. Senkumar said that about 4000 fireworks in connection with temple, church and mosque festivals were taking place in the state annually and that police have practical difficulties in checking the use of banned substances or quantity of explosives.
Mr. Senkumar, citing his experience in dealing with many firework mishaps in the state during the last three decades, said that it was impossible to ensure the safety of fireworks using explosives. Just a spark is required to ignite a huge quantity of explosives stored in a room, he pointed out.
Former state police chief Mr. Jacob Punnoose also suggested that digital pyrotechnics should be used at major festivals considering the
high risks involved in the use of explosives. “It is high time Kerala went for digital pyrotechnics which was already used during the recent National Games,” said Mr. Punnoose who is chief commissioner of National Games secretariat.
