The move comes following the recovery of several crude bombs from the area since December last year. The most recent being the discovery of a dozen odd bombs last week, which turned out to be fake. A crude bomb blast on December 9 had claimed the life of an eight-year-old girl.

“The bombs were wrapped in tins filled with shrapnel and could be lethal at close range,” said G Gambhir, Anand Superintendent of Police.

Police and district officials said the presence of several illegal firecracker units in the region made it difficult for them to pinpoint the culprits. This apart, there was also inadequate fire prevention and control measures in Borsad.

Anand fire officer Kamlesh Brahmbhatt said, “There is just one, very old fire engine in Borsad with only one fireman. If a fire breaks out, then the fire brigade from Anand is required, which is 20 kms away. Also, several firecracker units are located just next to each other increasing the chances fire spreading.” He added that most firecracker set-ups were not professional factories, but modified sheds and houses.

Taking the issue very seriously, Anand District Collector R N Joshi has now cautioned that he might cancel all firecracker licences in Borsad, even those that are valid. “The police and sub-divisional magistrates are investigating the matter and I am awaiting the report. If found that the workshops are not following conditions laid down under the law, they will be shut and their licenses cancelled,” Joshi said. He added there was also the possibility of several illegal workshops in the region, against which they would now initiate severe action.

Gambhir will submit a report on the bombs recovered in Borsad, as well as the blast, along with her observations, to Joshi. She said, “We found that though the firecracker industry is booming, the safety standards have fallen rapidly and there is no check on the amount of gunpowder stored or firecrackers made.” She said the police have requested the district administration to take the matter seriously and ponder over the cancellation of licenses or at least stop handing out new ones. Police sources said that they found discrepancies in many workshops related to storage of gunpowder.