Police bans use of metal-coated manja to fly kite

In the wake of tragic deaths of two kids and a 22-year-old man on Independence Day due to manja used in flying kites, Delhi Police today issued prohibitory orders banning storage, sale and use of "metal-coated" thread all over the national capital.
"Prohibitory orders issued by Delhi Police under Section 144 CrPC will come into effect immediately and remain in force till October 16," said Delhi Police PRO Rajan Bhagat.
Besides the three deaths, several persons, including a Delhi Police sub-inspector, while commuting were injured when their necks were grazed by stray kite strings in different parts of the city.

The police directive also said that manja having a fine metal coating acted as a good conductor of electricity and posed danger of electrocution if it came in contact with power lines.
"Any person found to be violating the order will be liable to be punished under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code," Bhagat said.
The Delhi government had on August 16 imposed a ban on the sale, production and storage of glass-coated thread or Chinese manja even as a blame game had taken place over delay in issuing the ban.

The incidents of manja inflicting fatal injuries had occurred within a span of four hours on Independence Day that witnesses hectic kite flying by enthusiasts all over the city.

Both the kids -- three-year-old girl Sanchi and four-year- old Harry -- had lost their lives after kite thread slashed their neck when they popped their heads out through the sunroof of their cars while travelling with their parents.
22-year-old Zafar was also grazed by manja while riding his bike which made him to loose balance and he fell on the road sustaining a fatal head injury.