Flying lanterns banned in Mumbai during Diwali

Customers stand under lanterns for sale as they look at them at a roadside market ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Mumbai, India, October 23, 2016. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui - RTX2Q396

The Mumbai Police on Monday banned the use of flying lanterns during Diwali festival to avoid any untoward incident.

The ban came into effect from today and will remain in force until November 14, a police official said.

Around three years back, the usage of such lanterns with fire crackers had caused incidents of fire in a couple of highrise buildings in the city, he said.

A flying or sky lantern is a small hot air balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended.

According to the official, the lanterns are being banned to prevent any danger to the human life and taking into consideration the safety of the common people.

The ban orders were issued by DCP (Operations) Deepak Deoraj.

Any person found violating the ban will be booked under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC.