Despite a overwhelming crackdown on the Chinese manjha, a number of fatalities and injuries have been reported from across India during the Makar Sankranti festival.

Chinese majha, a string often used in kite flying, is sharp enough to slit throat, incur deep cuts to humans and birds. It is banned by the government and is sold illegally, especially on and around Makar Sankranti when kite flying is a celebratory event.

Casualties in Indore

In Indore, the police intensified the crackdown after one person died while two others were injured on Sunday (January 11). The deceased, identified as Raghuveer Dhakar (45), was riding his bike when the string slit his throat.

Later on Wednesday, two others were injured in Chinese manjha havoc in two separate incidents. One person suffered a cut to his throat while another sustained injuries on his face.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Addl. DCP, Zone 4) Dishesh Agarwal said, "A person moving on a two-wheeler was passing through Teen Imli bridge under Bhawarkuan police area came in contact with kite string and suffered injuries in his neck. He was immediately admitted to the hospital with the help of other commuters and undergoing treatment. Second incident reported on Juni Indore bridge where a person sustained injuries on his face. A process is underway to register cases in both the incidents."

The Indore Police took strict measures to reduce the tragic incidents related to the infamous kite strings. As part of the measures, the Indore Collector ordered, "If a person dies or suffers serious injury due to Chinese kite string, the culprits will face strict action under Section 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sahita (BNS) 2023 (Causing death by negligence), which includes provisions for up to five years of imprisonment and a fine".

The police have arrested 25 individuals and 16 criminal cases have been filed.

Dozens injured in Telangana

In Telangana, the banned Chinese manja claimed the life of a 35-year-old man in Sangareddy district on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Avidesh, a native of Uttar Pradesh. The incident took place when Avidesh was travelling on a motorcycle and the manja of a flying kite got entangled around his neck and caused a deep cut after which he died on the spot.

A series of such incidents have been reported in Hyderabad. According to a report by news agency IANS, over a dozen people were injured in Hyderabad and its outskirts during the last couple of weeks.

Among them was an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) from Nallakunta police station, who was hurt at Ramanthapur on Sunday while travelling on his motorcycle towards Nampally Exhibition Ground.

Deaths in UP, Gujarat, Karnataka

In UP's Jaunpur, a physiotherapist died after his throat was slit by a stray 'Chinese manjha' while he was returning home on his motorcycle on Wednesday.

In another tragic incident, an eight-year-old child died after his neck was slit by Chinese manjha during Makar Sankranti celebrations in Surat’s Jahangirpura area.

In a similar incident in Karnakata's Bidar district, a man died after his neck was caught by the glass-coated banned string while he was on his way to pick up his daughter on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, police said.

The state governments across India have issued bans on the sharp, glass-coated Chinese manjha but it continues to claim lives every year.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI)