Police teams visited several schools on Wednesday to make the students aware of the rules of green Diwali.

The students were also told about what constitutes violations and the penalties they carry.

The campaign was focused primarily on the city’s southeast, from where many violations were reported during last year’s Diwali, an officer said. The schools visited by the police were in Regent Park, Mukundapur and Behala.

The police explained to the children how they could act as the ears and eyes of Kolkata Police on Diwali night.

“The idea was to raise awareness about green crackers, the safety norms, and how the students could play a vital role in their localities and housing complexes in ensuring that the seniors abide by the norms,” said a senior officer who was a member of one of the teams that visited the schools.

The police teams made the students aware of the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s guidelines and answered their questions on rules related to firecrackers.

“We wanted the students to realise how they can play a crucial role in helping the police reduce the number of violations. Our teams will be on the move. But specific inputs always make a difference,” the officer said.

Fireworks can only be lit between 8pm and 10pm on Diwali and only green fireworks can be sold and lit.

Senior officials of the Bengal pollution control board said that unlike the usual firecrackers, the green variants do not
contain polluting chemicals like barium, lithium and
arsenic.

“These fireworks are believed to release 30 per cent less particulate matter in the air, compared with the traditional ones,” said a senior official of the board.

“Students were told that packets containing green firecrackers have a logo certified by CSIR-NEERI and a QR code, scanning which a user or customer will know whether the products are of the green variety or not. Green firecrackers are being sold from four Kolkata Police-approved Bazi Bazars — in Survey Park, Tala Park, Maidan and near Behala Blind School,” an officer said.