Firecrackers, sky lanterns set off defying DMP ban

The DMP earlier warned that legal action would be taken against anyone caught releasing sky lanterns into the sky or bursting firecrackers.

Many in Dhaka set off firecrackers and sky lanterns from rooftops late on Sunday as well as on Monday to welcome the new year in defiance of a ban on their use imposed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

The DMP earlier warned that legal action would be taken against anyone caught releasing sky lanterns into the sky or bursting firecrackers.

DMP Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations) Farooq Hossain said the agency had already issued instructions on what the public was allowed and not allowed to do on December 31 for New Year celebrations.

Anyone violating those directives would face legal action, he added.

In recent years, New Year celebrations have been overshadowed by numerous mishaps arising from the use of fireworks and sky lanterns on New Year’s Eve.

Last year, the power transmission line of the metro rail was damaged during such an incident.