Police engage with traders, kite flyers to curb Chinese manjha incidents

Lucknow: In the wake of a recent death and multiple injuries linked to the use of Chinese manjha, the Lucknow Police Commissionerate's West Zone on Thursday intensified its crackdown by engaging directly with traders and residents in the old city. A special awareness and coordination meeting was convened at Chowk police station under deputy commissioner of police (west) Vishwajeet Srivastava. The meeting brought together kite-string wholesalers, retailers, representatives of traders' associations, members of kite-flying groups, and local residents in an effort to curb the sale and use of the hazardous string. DCP Srivastava reiterated that Chinese manjha, the synthetic, glass-coated kite string, is strictly prohibited under a govt order dated Feb 9.
He emphasised that the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of the banned string would invite stringent legal action. "Shauq ke badle shok nahin (Do not turn a hobby into someone else's grief)," the DCP said, stressing that recreation should never come at the cost of human life or animal safety. He noted that in recent years, the razor-sharp string caused several throat injuries to motorcyclists and pedestrians, apart from leading to large-scale bird fatalities. "Public safety must take precedence over festive enthusiasm," he added. Traders and residents took a collective pledge not to deal in or use banned manjha and assured only plain cotton thread would be promoted in the markets. Some parents voluntarily handed over manjha strings and charkhis found in their children's possession.