Police thinking of banning Easter bonfires

POLICE may implement a ban on Easter bonfires following last week’s rise in juvenile delinquency associated with the holiday tradition, announced Justice Minister Loucas Louca yesterday.

“The police are considering proposing a ban on this custom, which may be the reason for committing these crimes and for this increase in juvenile delinquency,” said Louca.

Speaking at an AKEL-sponsored charity event on road safety in Larnaca, Louca said that the bonfires have “ceased to be a tradition,” instead having “now become a curse due to the deaths, and, many times, severe injuries and amputations” that occurred last week at the bonfires.

Youths were observed stealing anything they could get their hands on to throw in the bonfires, even cutting down trees. Police in full riot gear also stood outside churches to keep delinquent behaviour at the bonfires at bay.

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