In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 45-year-old Raghubir Dhakad was riding his bike when a nylon string cut his neck and he bled to death. Two people also lost their lives in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh.
While kite flying was a rage across the country on Makar Sankranti, nylon kite string, commonly known as “Chinese manjha,” became the cause of death for many families. At least four people lost their lives in a single day in different states, highlighting how dangerous this string can be.
Chinese manjha is an extremely thin and sharp string made of nylon. Originally imported from China, this is why it earned its name. This manjha is stronger and sharper than ordinary cotton string, allowing it to easily cut the strings of other kites. However, this same sharp edge can also cut human skin and flesh, causing serious injury or even death.
In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 45-year-old Raghubir Dhakad was riding a bike when a nylon thread cut his neck, causing excessive bleeding. Two people also lost their lives in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. First, a teacher died from a neck cut, and shortly after, a young man riding a bike died in a similar manner. In Bidar district, Karnataka, 48-year-old Sanju Kumar Hosamani became trapped in his neck by a nylon thread, causing his condition to deteriorate at the scene and he died before an ambulance could arrive.
Taking these incidents seriously, the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered a complete ban on Chinese manjha. The court stated that any minor found flying kites with this banned string will be held responsible by their parents or guardians.
The High Court has clarified that those found selling or using manjha despite the ban can be charged with negligent homicide, which carries strict penalties.
Over the past year, police have seized millions of Chinese kite strings and arrested numerous people. Despite this, the string continues to be sold secretly in markets. Therefore, it’s crucial for people to remain vigilant and practice safe kite flying, so that the joy of the festival doesn’t take away someone’s life.
