Hyderabad: Banned Chinese manja claimed another life in Telangana, with a five-year-old girl dying after the sharp kite string slit her neck in Kukatpally on Monday.
The incident occurred when the child was travelling on a motorcycle with her father and sister. While they were heading from Khazipally in Medchal–Malkajgiri district to Kukatpally, a flying kite’s manja suddenly wrapped around her neck. The nylon string caused a deep cut and led to heavy bleeding. Police said the girl died on the spot.
She was seated in front of her father, who was riding the motorcycle. Her sister was riding pillion. Following the incident, police registered a case and began an investigation.
Second fatal Chinese manja incident in Telangana in two weeks
This marked the second death linked to Chinese manja in the State within two weeks. On January 14, a 35-year-old migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh died in Sangareddy district after a similar incident. The victim, identified as Avidesh, was riding a motorcycle when the manja tightened around his neck and caused fatal injuries.
Meanwhile, police data showed that more than a dozen people suffered injuries due to Chinese manja in Hyderabad and nearby areas this month. The injured included an Assistant Sub-Inspector and a 70-year-old woman.
Despite a ban, people continued to use Chinese manja widely during the recent Sankranti festival season. Therefore, Hyderabad Police launched a special drive to curb its sale, storage and transportation.
Between January 8 and January 11, police seized 2,150 bobbins of Chinese manja worth ₹43 lakh. They booked 29 cases and arrested 57 people. Over the last month, police registered 132 cases, seized 8,376 bobbins worth ₹1.68 crore and arrested 200 people.