Hyderabad witnessed two more serious injuries caused by banned Chinese manja within the last 48 hours. The victims include a police officer and an elderly woman, bringing the total number of human injuries in the city to 10 over the past month alone.
Police Officer Suffers Deep Throat Cut
Assistant Sub-Inspector B Nagaraju from Nallakunta police station became the latest victim on Tuesday. The officer was traveling from his Uppal home to Exhibition Grounds in Nampally when the incident occurred.
A sharp kite string suddenly sliced his throat near Swaroop Nagar. The cut caused profuse bleeding that required immediate medical attention.
"He needed 10 stitches at a private hospital in LB Nagar," confirmed a police officer from Nallakunta station. "His condition is now stable and he is out of danger, but he remains under observation."
Police confirmed the injuries resulted specifically from Chinese manja, the banned glass-coated kite string known for its extreme sharpness.
Elderly Woman Injured During Walk
In a separate incident on Monday afternoon, 70-year-old Yadamma suffered serious leg injuries in Meerpet. The local resident was taking a walk near Almasguda when her leg became entangled in Chinese manja.
The encounter caused deep cuts and heavy bleeding. She received treatment at a nearby hospital and was later discharged.
"No formal case was registered for this incident," stated an officer from Meerpet police station, highlighting how many such injuries go officially unreported.
Pattern of Injuries Emerges
Most victims in recent weeks have suffered serious throat injuries, though some escaped with minor wounds on their arms and shoulders. The rising injury count comes despite increased enforcement efforts by authorities.
Animal welfare groups report an even broader impact. They claim nearly 200 birds and animals have been injured by Chinese manjas this season, with many cases remaining undocumented.
Authorities Ramp Up Enforcement
With Sankranti approaching, authorities have intensified their crackdown on the illegal trade. Forest department officials are coordinating closely with police to monitor markets and conduct regular checks.
"We are making frequent rounds of various markets and acting promptly on tip-offs," explained A Shankaran, Officer on Special Duty (Wildlife) for the forest department. "Our teams are also creating awareness through posters and social media campaigns."
These efforts have already produced results. Police recently seized Chinese manja worth over one crore rupees in the last few days alone.
Challenges in Curbing the Trade
Despite enforcement actions, activists warn that demand continues to drive the illegal market. Pradeep P from the Animal Welfare Conservation Society emphasized the need for sustained pressure.
"As long as there is demand, sellers will find new ways to source and sell Chinese manja," he noted. "Continuous monitoring and strict punishment are absolutely essential to control this problem."
Authorities plan to deploy teams across Hyderabad in coming days. Sales typically peak just before Sankranti and continue through the weekend, making this period particularly critical for enforcement operations.
The forest department remains committed to curbing the illegal trade through coordinated efforts with law enforcement agencies. Their focus now shifts to preventing further injuries during the upcoming festival period.
