Cuttack, March 21: Police today formed special squads who will check on sale of synthetic colours ahead of Holi in Cuttack.
Five special teams, led by zonal assistant commissioner of police (ACPs), have been formed to ensure that no adulterated colours are sold in the market this season.
Other than enforcement, the cops will also install speakers at vantage points that will blare out warning about the use of unfriendly Holi colours.
The squad will comprise officials of the pollution control board, drugs inspector and health officers of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC).
"According to the high court's directive, a multi-disciplinary squad has been formed to ensure that spurious colours other than organic ones are not sold in the market," said deputy commissioner of police Sanjeev Arora.
Senior officials said the squads had also been asked to examine the quality of colours. At present, chemicals and metal oxides are used to give a thick texture to colours and in most cases industrial dyes are mixed that pose significant health risks.
Children are more vulnerable as the toxic colours may lead to allergy and asthmatic attacks. Besides, they can also cause ear infections and damage the eyes.
The loose or the non-packed colours will be thoroughly checked as it is suspected that such colours may have high content of lead, silica and dyes.
Though most people prefer to play Holi with only dry colour, it is also not safe as it has silica in it, said an official of the pollution control board.
"Most of the packaged colours sold in the market do not have any information about its ingredients as well as the manufacturer's name. It has now emerged as a major problem as common people will not be able to choose the right product," said Ramesh Jena, a resident of Badambadi.
The trend of purchasing herbal colours has increased, especially among the youth, as they have become more conscious about the health and skin.
"Due to massive campaigns, most people these days prefer herbal colours. The youngsters are celebrating Holi by organising party at home to spend quality time with their friends and family," said Amit Shah, a resident of Jhola Sahi.
In Bhubaneswar, too, squads are being formed to ensure sale of herbal colours. "We have formed a team of one ACP, one official of the pollution board and other police officials to check the sale of synthetic colours in the city," said deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi.
Senior cops said that a special strategy had also been formed to put a check on incidents of eve-teasing.
Moreover, for the first time, the police have decided to put up various cautionary boards near water bodies and rivers in the city this year.
"Keeping in view the past incidents of drowning deaths post Holi, we have decided to put up boards to warn people asking them not to venture into deep rivers. These boards will be installed at Chahata ghat and at Jobra," Arora said.
