Youth Killed By Kite Thread: Call 112 To Share Info About Glass-Coated Manja; Cuttack DCP

In the backdrop of the tragic death of a youth by glass power coated Manja (kite string) on Sunday, Cuttack DCP Prateek Singh on Tuesday appealed people to share information about the sale of such strings anywhere in the city for calibrated action.

Singh said already the Orissa High Court, in an order, has prohibited the use of glass coated Manja, including plastic nylon threads, as it poses imminent danger to the lives of people.

“But it has been observed that the directive is often flouted. We have been taking stern action against the violators every year,” he said.

“We appeal people to share information about the sale of Manja strings. They can call local police station or on 112 for immediate assistance and action. The identity of people sharing information will be kept secret,” said Singh.

In 2016, the Orissa High Court had directed the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar police to maintain vigil on the sale and use of Chinese Manja threads and other Manja as they are dangerous to human beings, animals and birds.

On Sunday, a newly married youth, identified as Jayant Samal, died after his throat was slit by a banned glass-coated kite string (Manja). Samal was on his way to his in-laws place on a bike along with his wife when the Manja string got entangled around his neck.

On the same evening, another person in Puri was grievously injured when a Manja string got entangled in his neck when he was rushing to fetch medicine for his ailing son.

Following the death of the youth in Cuttack, a special drive was carried out by Commissionerate Police in different parts of the city on Tuesday. Singh informed that four separate cases related to the sale and storage of illegal Manja had been registered and 14 persons were detained in that connection. They were later let-off with notices. Huge quantities of illegal Manja strings have also been seized, he said.