Sankranthi precautions: Environmentalists call for complete crackdown on dangerous Chinese manja

With rising injuries and bird fatalities, environmentalists urge authorities to intensify action against the illegal sale of Chinese manja during Sankranthi festival

Khammam: In the wake of hazards caused by Chinese manja used to fly kites during Sankranthi season, environmentalists and the public want the police to launch a complete crackdown on sellers as well as dealers to stop the illegal sale of the manja.

Despite the ban on the use of Chinese manja (the sharp glass-coated synthetic nylon kite string), kite sellers have been selling it in erstwhile Khammam district. There were several incidents of people dying as the manja cut their throats in the past besides the extreme damage it causes to the bird population.

---

It might be noted that a couple of days ago a private employee, A Krishna Rao of Kothagudem suffered a grievous injury on his neck, after a manja came in his way. His trachea (windpipe) was cut partially as the manja wrapped around his neck while he was returning home on a motorbike after extending New Year greetings to his parents at Gurraigudem of Chandrugonda mandal. Following the incident, the local police conducted raids in the local market areas, booked a couple of traders for selling the manja, besides seizing thread rolls and bobbins worth Rs.9,100. It was said that Chinese manja worth lakhs of rupees still remained in the gowdowns of the traders.

Khammam Commissioner of Police Sunil Dutt and Kothagudem Superintendent of Police B Rohith Raju in separate statements warned the traders against selling the manja and asked the public not to use Chinese manja. However, there are complaints that traders are still selling the manja secretly.

Speaking to Telangana Today, an environmentalist, Raya Venkataiah, suggested that police should seize entire stocks of Chinese manja to ensure that no stocks would be left with the traders or dealers. It was essential for the safety of humans and the bird species, he said.

The State government should curb Chinese manja at production level instead of seizing it after the product reaches markets. Those who were producing the manja have to be punished severely besides creating awareness among the public about the dangers posed by Chinese manja, he averred.

On the other hand, youths who love to fly kites want the police to ensure that in the pretext of raids on Chinese manja sellers, the spirit of Sankranthi season should not be dampened. With the fear of police raids kite shops have been closed, said a youth Beera Ravi adding that safe flying of kites has to be allowed.