Ahead of Diwali, trader robbed of crackers at gunpoint in Odisha

Kendrapara: Amid the Supreme Court's restraining order on firecrackers and Diwali round the corner, a trader was allegedly looted at gunpoint in Jamapada in Odisha's Kendrapara district here today.

The trader, Ajay Parida, was coming on his bike from Cuttack with supplies of crackers and candles when he was robbed by miscreants.

As per his allegation, a group of miscreants followed him on two-wheeler and suddenly intercepted him. They tried to intimidate him and snatch his firecrackers. When Ajay tried to persuade them that the items were for his son, they threatened him at gunpoint before fleeing away with the firecrackers and cash.

Sources said the loot was an outcome of the recent court order ban on crackers which has not gone down well with the public. As the supply of firecrackers has dipped in the market and police crackdown ongoing, people are resorting to illegal means to procure the items before the festival, they said.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered and investigation is underway, police said.