Madhya Pradesh police have seized nearly 150 carbide guns and illegal firecrackers and explosive materials worth more than Rs 45 lakh in a statewide crackdown ahead of Diwali, with Gwalior-Chambal and Bundelkhand emerging as major hotspots for unauthorised manufacture, storage and sale.
The seizures were carried out across several districts over the past 10 days, including Gwalior, Sheopur, Datia, Sagar, Chhatarpur, Morena, Indore and Ujjain. Police also recovered around 60 kg of gunpowder, illegal firecrackers and materials used for manufacturing them in Datia district.
Sagar has recorded one of the largest recoveries, with seizures valued at approximately Rs 29.71 lakh. Police conducted simultaneous checks at more than 100 locations in the district, registered 10 cases and seized firecrackers worth Rs 3.69 lakh, according to the report.
In Moti Nagar, police seized illegal firecrackers valued at Rs 19 lakh in two cases. In Naogaon, officers arrested a man allegedly transporting firecrackers without authorisation and seized 13 cartons valued at Rs 2.20 lakh, along with the three-wheeler taxi being used for transport.
A separate operation by Kotwali police uncovered an illegal firecracker warehouse near a bypass road in a residential area. Officers recovered 91 cartons and 10 sacks of firecrackers estimated to be worth around Rs 4.50 lakh. The location of the warehouse highlights the enforcement challenge posed by explosive materials being stored close to homes and built-up areas.
In Datia district, Indergarh police began action after receiving information about a fire caused by firecrackers. A subsequent search of two houses led to the seizure of around 60 kg of gunpowder, illegal firecrackers and materials used in their manufacture.
The crackdown comes ahead of Diwali, when demand for firecrackers rises sharply and police typically intensify checks on storage, transport and sale. The reported seizures cover multiple urban and semi-urban districts, indicating that enforcement is focusing not only on retail outlets but also on warehouses, residences and transport routes.
The operations also show the administrative difficulty of regulating the firecracker supply chain during the festival period. Police have had to conduct district-wide inspections, investigate suspected transport and respond to incidents involving fire or explosive materials. Further action will depend on the cases registered and the continued checks announced by local police units.
