Firecracker users face imprisonment in Oman

Ahead of the Eid holiday, police authorities are threatening stern action against revelers who fire traditional weapons or burst firecrackers during celebrations. In a statement, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) warned that offenders found in possession of firecrackers or explosives of any kind are liable to be jailed for up to three years with fines of up to 3,000 Omani riyals. Further, suspects will have no chance of bail until their trial. Firecrackers are a banned commodity in the sultanate, but some quantities are smuggled in from across the border. Police have warned similar action against those found to have smuggled or traded in explosives of any kind. In the statement, the ROP also cautioned against celebratory fire involving the use of traditional arms, warning that such incidents inadvertently cause serious injuries to others around. The advisories are part of a checklist of dos and don'ts issued by the police as they brace for an upsurge in all kinds of mishaps, including traffic accidents and accidental drownings, over the approaching holiday. As many as 29 people lost their lives and 393 others were injured in a spate of traffic mishaps during the Eid al Fitr holiday last year, police said. This time around, the ROP have also warned youngsters against speed-racing - a fairly widespread practice on less patrolled country roads. Speed-racing and reckless driving will earn the offenders a year in prison and 500 Omani riyals in fines, the statement warned.