Deadly 'Chinese Manjha' Kite Strings Prompt Crackdowns and Awareness Efforts Across India

Authorities intensify enforcement and public education campaigns following fatal and injurious incidents caused by banned synthetic kite strings.

The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has launched a toll-free number for reporting the sale, use, and storage of banned 'Chinese manjha', a synthetic kite string coated with hazardous materials like glass and metal.
Two fatal incidents linked to Chinese manjha were reported: a 46-year-old man in Bhiwandi and a 40-year-old crane operator in Haridwar, both of whom suffered fatal injuries after the sharp string entangled their necks while riding motorcycles.
In Indore, a youth required 15 stitches after suffering deep lacerations from a Chinese manjha, despite an existing ban on its sale in the city.
The National Green Tribunal has banned the production and sale of Chinese manjha nationwide, citing its risks to humans, animals, and the environment, as it is non-biodegradable and disrupts drainage systems.
Authorities in multiple cities, including Haridwar and Indore, are ramping up inspections, penalizing vendors, and launching public awareness campaigns to curb the illegal use and distribution of the dangerous kite strings.