Sundargarh, Sept 26: In a major crackdown on illegal firecracker trade, Rajgangpur police on Thursday seized firecrackers worth over ₹10 lakh from a warehouse in Bagichapada area of Sundargarh town.

Acting on a tip-off from reliable sources, a joint team led by Rajgangpur Additional Tahsildar and Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Vijay Kishore Dash raided the warehouse, which belonged to a local businessman. During the raid, a large stock of firecrackers stored for illegal sale was discovered and confiscated.

According to police estimates, the value of the seized firecrackers exceeds ₹10 lakh. Authorities confirmed that the stock was being kept without a valid license, in violation of fire safety and explosives regulations.

Police have launched a detailed investigation into the matter. Officials have warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in the illegal storage or sale of firecrackers.

The raid comes ahead of the festive season, when the demand for firecrackers typically surges, often leading to violations of safety norms.