VIRUDHUNAGAR: Banned Chinese crackers worth Rs two crore were found missing from a godown sealed by police following which three police personnel, including an inspector, were today suspended in the district.
Revenue officials had found the Chinese crackers smuggled from abroad in the godown during a raid two days ago.
The godown was later sealed by police.
But officials were shocked to find the crackers missing when they checked the godown yesterday and informed the DIG.
After a departmental inquiry, DIG of Police Ananthkumar Somani ordered the suspension of Inspector Seeralan, Sub-insepctor I Dileepan and SSI Mariappan for their alleged role in the missing of the crackers from the godown, police said.
Sale of Chinese crackers had been banned in view of the "high level of noise and air pollution caused by them".
The crackers also affected the domestic fireworks industries in the country and the livelihood of more than five lakh workers employed in them.
The Centre had given a stern warning against the sale of Chinese crackers, officials said, adding, sale and movement of Chinese crackers would not be allowed and fine would be imposed heavily on those who sold them, officials said.