Diwali, the festival of lights, passed off as the festival of "terror' with illegal high-decibel fire-crackers being burst in abundance throughout the state. The West Bengal Pollution Control Board's much-publicised guidelines and the "strict' police vigil went for a toss. Both police and WBPCB denied responsibility of the sound menace that ruled the Diwali night. Although police said that action had been taken against any violation of law, residents across the city and state alleged that their complaints fell on deaf ears as bursting of high-decibel fire-crackers continued till late hours of the night.