Police seize banned Chinese manja worth Rs 1.89 lakh in Hyderabad, apprehend three

Hyderabad: The Commissioner’s Task Force, Rajendranagar Zone, and Kalapathar Police seized banned Chinese manja worth approximately Rs 1.89 lakh and apprehended three men during a joint raid near Golden Jubilee School in Kalapathar on October 25.

The banned Chinese manja seized during the operation included 140 bobbins and 100 bundles of synthetic kite string. Police also recovered three mobile phones. Officials estimated the total value of the seized property at Rs 1.89 lakh.

Police identified the three apprehended men as Mohammed Kaleem (27), a kite trader from Tadban; Mohammed Younus (51), a school-bag stitcher from Tadban; and Fahadullah Khan (24), a delivery executive from Khajipura.

Banned Chinese manja seized after police uncover supply network

During preliminary questioning, Kaleem allegedly disclosed how he entered the illegal manja business after learning about its profitability while working at a kite shop in Falaknuma.

According to police, Kaleem subsequently contacted a supplier named Vicky through Instagram. He allegedly purchased the prohibited material by transferring money through online payment platforms, including PhonePe.

The supplier reportedly dispatched the consignments through courier services. Kaleem later established his own kite business within the Kalapathar police station limits. Police said he allegedly supplied the banned synthetic manja to local sellers through his business.

Investigators identified Vicky, reportedly a resident of Jabalpur, Uttar Pradesh, as the alleged main supplier. However, he remained absconding, and police launched efforts to trace him.

Police hand over seized manja and accused for legal action

Following the operation, Task Force personnel handed over the three apprehended men and the seized property to Kalapathar Police Station for further legal proceedings. The banned Chinese manja seized during the raid formed part of the material allegedly procured through the supplier contacted on Instagram.

Meanwhile, police appealed to citizens to report the illegal sale, storage, transportation or use of Chinese manja. Officials urged residents to contact Dial-112 or Hyderabad City Police helplines whenever they encountered such activities. Police also warned against using synthetic manja because it posed a serious threat to people, birds and animals.