CM Yogi Orders Statewide Ban On Chinese Manja, Says Deaths Caused By Kite String Will Be Treated As Murder

Lucknow has witnessed two serious incidents within 24 hours linked to the use of banned Chinese kite string, raising alarm among residents and authorities.

The deadly string, often made from synthetic or nylon material coated with glass, continues to pose a serious threat to public safety despite strict bans.

The recent incidents have sparked anger among citizens and renewed questions about how such dangerous materials are still being sold in the market.

Chinese Kite String Ban in Lucknow Under Focus

The first tragic incident occurred on Wednesday when a 33-year-old man lost his life after his throat was slit by a sharp kite string while riding a scooter. The victim, Mohammad Shoaib, worked as a medical representative for a pharmaceutical company. He was travelling on the Haiderganj-Talkatora Mill flyover when the string cut his neck, causing fatal injuries.

Shoaib lived in Sitavihar Colony in Dubagga and is survived by his elderly mother, wife, and two young daughters. His sudden death has left his family and local community in deep shock.

Just a day later, another serious accident took place. Retired Army personnel Brijesh Rai was severely injured on Shaheed Path when a kite string became entangled around his face as he rode his scooter home. Rai, who now works as a security guard at a cancer hospital, suffered deep cuts on his face and lips and was admitted to hospital in critical condition.

These back-to-back incidents have once again highlighted the dangers of banned kite strings.

Yogi Adityanath Orders Strict Action

Following the fatal accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed authorities to treat deaths caused by Chinese kite string as murder cases. He stressed that strict action must be taken against those selling or using the banned string.

Acting on the Chief Minister's directive, local authorities and police launched raids on kite shops across Lucknow. Several enforcement teams checked markets and storage areas where the banned string might be stocked or sold.

Police officials warned that anyone found selling or using the prohibited kite string could face strong legal action, including imprisonment and heavy fines under multiple laws.
Enforcement Challenges and Public Concerns

Despite a complete ban on synthetic and nylon kite strings by the High Court and the National Green Tribunal, the continued availability of such materials in markets has raised serious questions. Many residents are asking how these dangerous strings are still being sold openly.

Authorities admitted that monitoring remains a challenge and said stronger enforcement measures are being put in place. Regular inspections and surprise raids are expected to continue in the coming days.

Environmental activists have also pointed out that in some cases, locally made glass-coated strings are being mistaken for Chinese kite string. However, they emphasised that all forms of sharp or synthetic kite string are dangerous and should not be used.

Officials have urged citizens to avoid using any harmful kite string and to report violations immediately. Awareness campaigns are also being planned to educate people about the risks associated with such materials.

The recent incidents serve as a reminder that even a common recreational activity like kite flying can turn deadly when safety rules are ignored. Authorities hope that stricter enforcement and public cooperation will prevent further tragedies in the future.