Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police and Odisha State Pollution Control Board have conducted joint raids at several shops in Bhubaneswar in view to ensure a safe Holi tomorrow.
Reportedly, the team of officials have taken this step to ensure that no hazardous or chemical colours are being sold during Holi. The shopkeepers have been directed to sell only organic or herbal colours.
The raids are underway at Chandrashekharpur, Patia, Sailashree Vihar, and Unit 1 markets area to keep a check on the sale of colours.
During the raid, chemical colours worth more than Rs 10,000 have been seized from a shop in Patia area following which the officials seized the shop.
The raids are expected to continue till tomorrow while stern action will be taken against the violators who will be found selling chemical colours for Holi.
Similarly, adequate security measures have also been undertaken by the Commissionerate police to maintain law and order during the festivity.
Notably, the public celebration of the Holi festival across the State has been banned according to the Covid guidelines by Odisha Government.
However, the guidelines further stated that people may celebrate ‘Holi’ with family members in their houses only.
Ms Kalinga