Hyderabad: 30 December Posted on 2:36 PM IST
Ahead of the Sankranti festival, two separate incidents involving banned Chinese manja have once again highlighted the deadly risks associated with its illegal use in Hyderabad. Two youngsters were critically injured after glass-coated nylon kite strings slashed their throats in different parts of the city.
In the first incident, a youth identified as Jameel, a resident of Nawab Saheb Kunta, sustained grievous injuries when Chinese manja struck his neck while he was travelling on a motorcycle in the Shamshergunj area. The sharp string slit his throat, causing severe bleeding.
Jameel was immediately rushed to a hospital, where doctors confirmed that his condition remains critical. According to his family members, the injury was so severe that doctors had to administer 22 stitches to save his life. After a tense medical struggle, the youth survived but continues to remain under close observation.
In another incident, 19-year-old Yashwanth from Keesara mandal suffered critical injuries after a broken kite string wrapped around his neck. He was promptly shifted to a hospital, where his condition deteriorated and was declared critical.
Yashwanth’s parents have urged the police to take strict action against shopkeepers who continue to sell Chinese manja indiscriminately, stating that such illegal sales are putting innocent lives at risk.
Meanwhile, Hyderabad police have intensified enforcement against the banned kite string. As part of a special drive in the Old City, Chatrinaka police conducted inspections on December 27 and 28, arresting two individuals for illegally selling Chinese synthetic nylon glass-coated manja. Police seized 24 bobbins and registered cases against the accused.
Police officials reiterated that Chinese manja is completely banned due to the severe threat it poses to humans, children, birds, animals, and the environment. Citizens have been urged to cooperate with authorities and immediately report any illegal sale, including online sales through social media platforms.
Mohammed Naseer Giyas is a multi-media and bilingual journalist with over 20 years of experience across print, digital, and television media. Founder of Raftaar-e-Deccan, he is an alumnus of IVLP, Thomson Reuters Foundation, and ICFJ, and has worked with leading English and Urdu news organisations.
