Madhya Pradesh Districts Ban Carbide Guns After 300 Eye Injuries During Diwali Celebrations

An FIR was filed against Mohammad Taha (seen on left wearing green t-shirt) for selling the guns

Bhopal:

Following nearly 300 eye injuries during Diwali celebrations, authorities in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior and Bhopal districts have implemented a comprehensive ban on carbide pipe guns, prohibiting their sale, purchase, and storage.

According to the government directive, individuals found selling or stockpiling these dangerous devices will face immediate legal action through First Information Reports (FIRs). Sub District Magistrates have been tasked with conducting personal inspections at both retail and wholesale firecracker outlets to identify and confiscate any banned items.

The havoc caused by carbide guns during Diwali has been confirmed by health officials across Madhya Pradesh, with approximately 300 individuals reporting various eye conditions including irritation, burns, and vision loss resulting from carbide gun explosions.

Medical professionals treating the affected individuals have issued warnings that several children may experience permanent vision impairment, making this Diwali one of the most tragic festivals the state has witnessed in recent memory.

The districts experiencing the most severe impact include Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, and Vidisha, with children between 7 and 14 years old comprising the majority of victims.

In Bhopal and surrounding areas, 186 people have suffered partial or complete vision loss. Currently, 36 patients are receiving treatment in the ophthalmology department at Gandhi Medical College (GMC) in Bhopal, with 15 having already undergone surgical procedures.

Authorities filed an FIR in Bhopal late Thursday against Mohammad Taha from Ehsan Nagar for selling carbide guns. In a similar enforcement action, Gwalior Police arrested a young man for selling the prohibited items and charged him under relevant sections of the Explosives Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Bhopal officials have seized 55 carbide guns during enforcement raids on firecracker retailers. A prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Defense Code, 2023 has been enacted, banning the manufacture, sale, and use of carbide guns throughout the district.

According to the Gwalior collector's advisory, these crude devices operate by combining carbide with water, which generates acetylene gas - a highly flammable and toxic compound capable of causing severe damage to the eyes, brain, and nervous system.

Despite the advisory issued by Gwalior authorities, officials acknowledged that timely preventive measures were lacking, which allowed these dangerous guns to be freely sold during the Diwali festival period.

Authorities have promised strict enforcement following the belated ban. Police and administrative teams will continue conducting inspections at firecracker shops, with immediate legal consequences for those violating the prohibition.