Hyderabad Police Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Chinese Manja Ahead of Sankranti

Major Seizure of Banned Kite String

Hyderabad, January 8: In a significant operation, the Hyderabad police have confiscated a substantial quantity of illegal Chinese Manja, valued at ₹1.24 crore, and apprehended 143 individuals.

With the Sankranti festival approaching, authorities have intensified their efforts to combat the sale, storage, and distribution of the prohibited synthetic kite string throughout the city.

Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar announced during a press briefing that the ongoing initiative has resulted in 103 registered cases and the arrest of 143 suspects. A total of 6,226 bobbins of Chinese Manja, estimated to be worth ₹1,24,52,000, have been seized.

Sajjanar emphasized that while Sankranti is a time for celebration and kite-flying, safety must not be compromised. He reiterated the government's complete ban on Chinese Manja due to its significant risks to humans, wildlife, and the environment.

"Despite the prohibition, illegal sales continue to occur in secret. We will adopt a zero-tolerance policy. Anyone caught selling, storing, or transporting Chinese Manja will face immediate legal consequences. Special teams are deployed throughout the city," he stated.

The Commissioner also highlighted that some vendors have resorted to online sales to bypass regulations. "We have established continuous monitoring of e-commerce sites and social media. Strict legal measures will be enforced against those engaged in the online trade of Chinese Manja," he cautioned.

He further warned parents about the hazards posed by the metallic coating on Chinese Manja, which can lead to severe injuries and electric shocks, particularly to children.

Sajjanar had previously declared a zero-tolerance stance on Chinese Manja, describing it as a silent threat that has resulted in serious injuries and fatalities among pedestrians, motorcyclists, birds, and animals.

The Hyderabad police have organized specialized teams to combat the illegal production, storage, transportation, and sale of this dangerous kite string.

In the past week, four motorcyclists, including a police constable and a student, have suffered serious neck injuries due to encounters with Chinese Manja.