"Save fireworks, tradition and Sivakasi" banners across town

‘Save fireworks, tradition, Sivakasi’ banners were tied at many places across Sivakasi on 8th February 2019, Friday when deputy chief minister and finance minister O Panneerselvam presented the state’s budget. Stickers bearing the same words were also affixed on two-wheelers as the police and district administration denied permission for a protest planned by the fireworks industry on Friday.

“We erected a tent to stage a protest at Coronation Colony, Sivakasi, but it was removed by the police as they did not want it to happen when the budget is presented. We were told that they would not grant permission for any assembly, staging a protest or sloganeering,” general secretary of the Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers' Association (TANFAMA), K Mariappan said.

He added that the officials asked them to obtain permission from the high court to organize a protest to get the attention of the state and Centre on the plight of the fireworks industry and lakhs of labourers. “It looks like there is no hope but for protesting as the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday refused for an early hearing on the case pertaining to fireworks that was earlier adjourned to March 1,” he said.

Industry sources claimed that the district administration is asking factories to resume production of fireworks, while industries are not in a position to do so as the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) has warned their closure if they engage in production of fireworks against the Supreme Court’s direction.

Fireworks’ industries plan to intensify protests till the government listens reopens the units.