KOTTAYAM: Crackers are much sought-afterin Kottayam, much like in previous years and shops selling a variety of fireworks have sprouted everywhere.

There is huge demand for fireworks like 'mathapoo,' rockets, chain crackers and ‘kambithiri’ and the district has come alive with the resounding sounds of these booming objects during nights and daytime.

Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu is the main production centre of fireworks, but now Paravur in Ernakulam district has also become a competitor.

“The cracker units in Thrissur and Palakkad districts have increased the prices of the materials for the Christmas season,” said Biju, a shop owner in Kanjikuzhy.

The police have not placed any curbs on the sale of the crackers but they conduct routine checks, said district police chief M.P. Dinesh.