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The Times of India
The Times of India
National
TNN

Delhi: Over 14,000 reels of Chinese manjha seized this year

NEW DELHI: Over 14,000 reels of the so-called Chinese manjha, or glass-coated synthetic kite string, have been seized and around 137 people arrested after a drive against the sale of the prohibited string in Delhi. Police said they have been alerting citizens and residents’ welfare associations and also holding meetings with market associations about the illegal nature of the sharp thread. Every year, not only are birds injured by the string, but even humans have been killed or critically wounded by injuries caused by the kite string.

At least two people have been killed this year while others have been injured by Chinese manjha. On July 25, a 30-year old man died after his throat slit while he was riding a bicycle on the Haiderpur flyover. In another incident at Jagatpuri, a man suffered laceration wounds on his neck caused by the super sharp string.

Following these incidents, a crackdown was launched and two cases were registered for the sale of the prohibited Chinese string. According to police, Mohammad Sabir was found selling 218 reels of manjha, which have been seized. Police said in another raid Sanjay Sachdeva was nabbed and four reels of synthetic manjha retrieved from his shop.

Delhi Police data shows 141 cases registered for illegally selling Chinese manjha, 137 people arrested and 14,160 manjha rolls seized across Delhi. Around 24 of these cases were registered in Outer district, followed by 21 in West and South-West districts. The maximum seizure was effected in North-West district, where 11,923 manjha reels were seized.

“We have been holding meetings with RWAs and market associations to caution people against selling the banned kite string. We also have plainclothesmen posted in markets to keep an eye on illegal transactions. WE are also trying to educate people through social media and on the ground not to buy Chinese manjha, which can cause injuries,” said a police officer.

Two-wheeler riders are mainly affected by manjha because they ride exposed to it. A big challenge for police is to determine the source of the string since it’s almost impossible to know which individual was flying the particular kite. Every year, Delhi Police bans the sale of manjha and carries out regular checks, but it is almost impossible to reach a logical conclusion in cases related to the string.

A Delhi government notification says those engaged in the use, possession or sale of Chinese manjha are liable to be fined Rs 1 lakh or face imprisonment up to five years or both. Only normal cotton thread is permitted for kite flying.

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