The banned and deadly Chinese manjha has claimed another life in Indore, turning a routine commute into a tragedy. This incident marks the second fatality linked to the prohibited kite string in the city within a matter of days, raising serious concerns about enforcement and public safety.
Second Fatal Strike in Indore
On Sunday evening, the city of Indore was shaken by yet another fatal accident involving Chinese manjha. The victim was identified as Raghuvir Dhakad, a 45-year-old tile contractor and resident of Om Sai Vihar Colony in Bicholi Mardana. Dhakad was returning home on his motorcycle after visiting a work site when the unthinkable happened.
As he rode on the road connecting Kanadia and Tilak Nagar, near Shakuntala Hospital, he came into contact with a stray Chinese manjha. The razor-sharp, glass-coated string slit his throat, causing him to lose control of his motorcycle. Alert passers-by used his mobile phone to inform his family. He was rushed to the hospital but, tragically, succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
A Family Devastated by Repeated Tragedy
The loss is especially heart-wrenching for the Dhakad family, who are grappling with a second profound tragedy. Raghuvir Dhakad leaves behind his son, Sahil, who is currently a student. The family had already lost another son to drowning just two years ago. This latest incident has plunged them into deeper grief, highlighting the human cost behind the statistics.
Confirming the incident, Tilak Nagar TI, Manish Lodha, stated that a probe has been launched and the body was sent for a postmortem examination. The police are investigating the source of the banned string.
Rising Toll of Injuries and Deaths
This was not an isolated event. Just a few days prior, a 16-year-old boy lost his life in a similar incident on the Indore-Dewas bypass. Furthermore, the current kite-flying season has seen a alarming number of injuries. Six persons have reportedly suffered serious injuries to their necks, faces, and hands so far, underscoring the widespread danger posed by this material.
In a separate incident also reported on Sunday evening, a college student named Narendra Jamod sustained neck injuries from Chinese manjha and was admitted to a private hospital for treatment.
The Banned Menace That Won't Go Away
Chinese Manjha is a synthetic string, often made of nylon or plastic, coated with glass or metal particles. It is explicitly prohibited due to its high tensile strength and inability to break easily, making it a lethal hazard for humans, birds, and animals. Despite the ban, its continued availability in the black market has led to a persistent surge in accidents across the city.
The back-to-back fatalities in Indore serve as a grim reminder that a ban on paper is insufficient. They call for stringent action against suppliers and sellers in the illicit market and greater public awareness about the life-threatening consequences of using such deadly strings.
