Thane police drive against plastic national flags

The Thane police, in a special drive this week until Republic Day, are cracking down on sale of plastic Indian flags.

These flags usually sell in huge numbers on both Republic Day and Independence Day but are discarded soon after.

Orders have been issued to all police stations in Thane to confiscate any plastic flags as well as fine those found selling them.

"People buy plastic reproductions of the Indian tricolour and discard them the next day, which is tantamount to insulting the national flag," K P Raghuvanshi, Thane police commissioner, said.

Officers said these non-biodegradable plastic flags pollute the environment, and they end up in gutters or garbage dumps. Police said plastic flags have for a long time been an issue all over the country. Despite a ban, their production is still going on.

Authorities, both municipal and police, in various states have taken steps to curb the menace.

NGOs regularly appeal to people not to encourage plastic flag trade, but have had little luck in changing the scenario.

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