Bengaluru Police Release 19-Point Deepavali Safety Guidelines, Warn of Legal Action

Bengaluru police have rolled out a <b>19-point</b> safety plan for Deepavali, urging residents to use only certified <b>green crackers</b> and limit bursting to <b>8 p.m.–10 p.m.</b> as directed by the Supreme Court. The move shines a light on years of lax enforcement; illegal firecracker stalls continue to thrive, waste piles up, and courts have repeatedly warned officials, yet red‑tape and weak monitoring persist. Violators now face fines and possible prosecution, a step that could finally curb reckless celebrations and protect neighborhoods from fire hazards.