Jammu: Taking tough action, Jammu Police has launched a massive drive against the supply and sale of Chinese kite string or ‘manjha’, after a man riding a two-wheeler died when his throat was slit with a sharp Chinese ‘manjha’ in the city.
On Saturday, a 37-year-old man riding on a two-wheeler with his wife, lost his life due to throat slit when hit by Chinese ‘manjha’, near Talab Tillo area in the heart of Jammu city.
Initiating stern action against the suppliers and sellers of such kite string, Jammu Police have launched a crackdown in the markets and seized stocks of Chinese ‘manjha’ and nylon thread ahead of Raksha Bandhan festival falling on August 9.
Kite flying is a tradition in Jammu on the occasions of Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami.
“We have launched a strict drive against the sellers of Chinese manjha and also seized Chinese and nylon thread in the markets,” Vivek Shekhar, Superintendent of Police, Jammu North, told UNI.
The officer said, “For a small amount of profit, you cannot risk anybody’s life. Chinese kite thread is fatal to human lives and people must understand that its use poses a risk to so many lives.”
“We are spreading awareness and have also appealed to the people that if they have any information on its sale, share with us, and without disclosing identity, swift action will be taken against the culprits,” said the SP North.
He said that posters and banners are being pasted across Jammu to make people aware of the dangers of using Chinese manjha.
Chinese manjha is a synthetic nylon kite string coated with abrasive materials like powdered glass or metal, making it razor sharp. Kite flyers try to cut the strings of other kites during kite flying, and use sharp strings for the purpose.
However, the string poses serious risks to humans, animals, and the environment. The razor-sharp string can cause deep cuts to pedestrians, motorcyclists, and even people looking out of car windows. There have been numerous reports of severe injuries and deaths, particularly during festive seasons when kite flying is common.
The sharp and strong nature of Chinese manjha also poses a grave threat to birds, especially during flight.
Superintendent of Police, Jammu South, Ajay Sharma told UNI, “On the directions of the SSP Jammu, the drive has been launched against the supply and sale of the life-threatening Chinese manjha.”
“The Jammu District Magistrate has already issued an advisory in this regard and police are also taking several measures as per the law to prevent its sale,” said SP South.
He revealed that FIRs have been registered, and some sellers have also been arrested. He added, “We have also written to the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries to convey to all the shopkeepers not to sell Chinese manjha. Anybody found involved in its sale will not be spared.”
Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police, Jammu Headquarters, Irshad Rather told UNI, “There will be no lenient treatment for the sellers and suppliers. As a part of the crackdown, we have registered FIRs and arrested some of the shopkeepers found selling the manjha.”
“Apart from the drive against this menace, we are also making people aware and appealing to them not to buy nylon ‘manjha’ and to boycott it in the larger interest,” said the SP Headquarters.
He said, “Action is not only being taken against the sellers but also against the suppliers in the neighbouring Punjab and the transporters as well.”
Renowned surgeon, Dr Sanajay Bhasin told UNI, “The chemical used in the thread is very dangerous. When the trachea gets slit due to the manjha it gets damaged, and due to non supply of oxygen to the lungs, heart and brain, death occurs.”
“Chinese manjha is made from synthetic materials like nylon or monofilament fishing lines, coated with glass powder or metal, making it extremely sharp and tough,” he said. Dr Bhasin added that the manjha has high tensile strength, which allows it to cut through flesh and bone easily, causing severe injuries.
“When it comes into contact with humans or animals, it can cause deep lacerations, wing injuries, bone fractures, and even decapitation,” Dr Bhasin added.
He said that the use of Chinese ‘manjha’ has been banned in India since 2017 (by the National Green Tribunal) due to its hazardous nature, but enforcement remains a challenge and many vendors continue to sell it, and users are often unaware of the risks.
“Avoid using Chinese manjha, and instead opt for traditional cotton manjha and let us promote safer kite-flying practices and protect humans,” he added.
Meanwhile, one of the survivors of such an incident (name not disclosed), said, “I had my throat cut due to Chinese ‘manjha’ and it damaged my larynx (voice box) that contains the vocal cords.”
“The soft tissues and cartilage located above the vocal cords was damaged and I lost my original voice,” he stated.
In some of the recent cases, Jammu Police have registered FIRs for selling the banned ‘Nylon Thread, Chinese manjha (Gattu)’, in R S Pura, Janipur and Pacca Danga areas, and have so far arrested six persons and seized a number of rolls of the dreaded thread.
In a public advisory, Jammu Police has appealed to not buy or use the ‘gattu’ thread, report any sale or stock of such material to the nearest police station, parents are requested to monitor children during kite flying, and use only safe, cotton-based thread to avoid accidents.
“Jammu Police remains committed to ensuring public safety and urges the community to support such efforts by staying vigilant and cooperative,” said the police spokesman.
UN
