Hyderabad Police have intensified operations against the illegal sale and use of Chinese manja, a banned nylon-coated kite string, following a spate of injuries across the city ahead of Makar Sankranti. A 42-year-old trader, Mohammed Shazaib, was arrested for illegally procuring and selling the dangerous material, with police seizing 345 bobbins worth Rs 6.9 lakh from his possession.
Shazaib, who operates a kite business in Kalapathar, was reportedly sourcing the banned manja from Haryana resident Vikram Mehta and selling each bobbin at Rs 2,000, generating substantial illegal profits. He has been handed over to the Kalapathar Police Station, with the seized material now in police custody for further investigation.
The crackdown follows several serious accidents caused by Chinese manja. On Friday, 48-year-old Damera Veeraiah sustained a deep neck injury after the string wrapped around him near the Amberpet flyover. On Sunday, 27-year-old software engineer Suryateja was injured in Gachibowli, while Sai Vardhan Reddy suffered a deep neck cut near Uppal Stadium Metro Station, highlighting the urgent need for enforcement.
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The Telangana government banned the manufacture, sale, storage, and use of Chinese manja in 2016 under the Environment (Protection) Act, citing its threat to people, birds, and motorists. Violators face up to five years in prison, a fine of Rs 1 lakh, or both. Police officials have urged citizens to use only cotton kite threads and report illegal sales immediately.
Ahead of the festival, Hyderabad Police have registered 103 cases, arrested 143 people, and seized 6,226 bobbins valued at Rs 1.24 crore. The Commissioner’s Task Force alone accounted for 67 cases, 87 arrests, and seizures worth Rs 68.78 lakh, demonstrating a city-wide zero-tolerance approach.
Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar warned that illegal traders continue to sell Chinese manja online and via social media. Special teams are actively monitoring these channels, and citizens have been advised to report violations through Dial 100 or WhatsApp at 94906 16555 to prevent further accidents.
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