Haridwar: The banned Chinese manjha has become a significant cause of concern in Haridwar, taking lives and injuring many people and birds. Despite the ban, its use continues, leading to tragic incidents and raising questions about enforcement.
The acting head of Haridwar District Hospital, Dr. Vikas Deep, reported receiving over 35 emergency cases in one day due to injuries caused by the manjha. Despite police efforts to confiscate and destroy the banned strings, its clandestine sale continues.
Tow people died, one is seriously injured
In recent days, Chinese manjha has become a death trap for people and birds alike. On February 3, railway JE Sulekh Chand tragically lost his life when he got caught in the manjha while riding his bike. Similarly, on January 2, Ashok Kumar died after the manjha cut his throat. On January 20, Sumit Kumar sustained serious injuries after getting entangled in the manjha near Gurukul Kangri University.
10 cases of birds getting injured by the manjha came to the fore
Chinese manjha has also injured many birds, including vultures, eagles, owls, herons, and migratory birds like the Ibis and Egyptian Vulture. Haridwar DFO Vaibhav Singh confirmed about 10 cases of birds getting injured by the manjha. The Forest Department plans to form a special team with the administration and police to prevent these incidents and urges the public not to use Chinese manjha.
35 people got injured by Chinese Manjha in one day
Acting head of Haridwar District Hospital, Dr. Vikas Deep, said that in one day, more than 35 emergency cases of people injured by Chinese Manjha have reached him, some of whom had to be referred to higher centers. The police have also taken action in such cases. They have arrested some people and sent them to jail, but the police seem to be unsuccessful in completely banning Chinese Manjha.
Five people were arrested in Roorkee for possessing the banned string
Haridwar Police have been actively arresting individuals caught selling Chinese manjha. Recently, five people were arrested in Roorkee Civil Line police station area for possessing the banned string. Haridwar Police Captain Pramod Dobal emphasized continuous monitoring and strict action against offenders. The police also launched a special campaign against the Chinese manjha in Haridwar district before Basant Panchami. Despite their efforts, the manjha was still sold secretly, resulting in over 30 people being injured, with two fatalities.
Political controversy
The issue has also drawn political attention. Photos of BJP MLAs Madan Kaushik and Adesh Chauhan flying kites went viral on social media, leading to accusations from Congress leaders that they were using banned strings. In response, BJP workers filed a case against some Congress leaders for tarnishing their image. The police are currently investigating the matter.
Why Chinese manjha is dangerous
Chinese manjha is sharp due to its composition of plastic, metal, and ground glass. This makes it more dangerous than regular manjha. It can easily cut through human flesh, animal skin, and bird feathers. Additionally, being a good conductor of electricity, it poses a risk of electric shock when it comes into contact with power lines.
A popular choice for kite flyers due to its sharpness and strength
Kites are traditionally flown during Basant Panchami in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, leading to increased sales of Chinese manjha. Despite the ban, it remains a popular choice for kite flyers due to its sharpness and strength. Authorities face the challenge of enforcing the ban effectively to prevent further injuries and fatalities.
