Kolkata: The noisiest Diwali in quite some time has also split several housing societies across Kolkata and New Town, with residents finding themselves on either side of the firecracker divide. In some cases, the complaints even reached police stations, leading to seizures of crackers and skirmishes with residents. TOI spoke to residents living across housing societies in Kolkata, Salt Lake and New Town, where fault lines are very clear.The state’s rules were clear: only green crackers were permitted between 8 pm and 10 pm. Yet, for the last four days, the city’s skyline was lit up by bursts far louder than the prescribed limit. In areas such as Behala, Kasba, Kalikapur, New Town, Golf Green and Baguiati, firecrackers continued well past 2 am.At Panache in Salt Lake’s Sector V, the celebrations took a particularly dangerous turn after a fire broke out in a flat. The Diwali committee of Panache had allegedly arranged for fireworks just outside the complex’s exit gate. Residents alleged that the temporary gate was covered with synthetic fabric and plastic decorations despite objections.Around 12.30 am, fireworks struck the balcony or window of flat 24A, setting it ablaze. The flat was gutted, while flames damaged the common lobby and entrances and doors of adjoining flats. Police have collected CCTV footage and registered an FIR following a complaint by the senior citizen owners, who were out of station and returned from Chennai the next morning.“Yet the Diwali committee members were nonchalant and claimed it as a minor incident which is common during Diwali. Those who questioned the committee’s arrangements were bullied and threatened,” alleged a resident.At South City, police seized large quantities of firecrackers from residents found bursting them inside the premises on Diwali night. Cops said multiple complaints had been received about loud noise and illegal fireworks being set off even before the permitted window. Residents contested the action, maintaining that the seized crackers were legal fireworks bought from Bazi Bazaar.Safety concerns also surfaced in New Town. At Siddha Pines, a sky lantern got caught on the balcony of an unoccupied flat owned by a person living in the US. An RWA official said additional manpower and a fire officer on standby, along with water arrangements, helped extinguish it immediately. “Nothing happened, though a major accident could have occurred,” the official said.In another complex, a firework reportedly flew through an open window and landed inside a flat. “We had banned rockets but some residents flouted the norm. Cops had to come in at the complex only after which they stopped,” another RWA official of a New Town complex said.
