An intensified crackdown in Hyderabad's Dhoolpet area, long considered the city's primary hub for the banned Chinese manja, has forced the illegal trade to go underground and spread to other localities. The glass-coated kite string, prohibited for over eight years due to its deadly threat to humans, birds, and animals, is now being sold through covert networks across the Old City, Uppal, and Patancheru.
Stealthy Sales and Discreet Deliveries Replace Open Display
A recent visit by journalists to Dhoolpet revealed a stark change. None of the shops openly displayed the hazardous Chinese manja. However, interactions with local sellers and buyers confirmed that the trade is very much alive, operating from hidden godowns and storehouses. The modus operandi has evolved into a clandestine system reminiscent of contraband trade.
Shopkeepers now collect customers' phone numbers and promise delivery at neutral locations later, to avoid detection by authorities. A buyer from Dhoolpet described the process, stating that sellers only act after ensuring the customer is genuine and not an undercover police officer. He claimed deliveries are made within an hour of placing an order.
Crackdown and Risk Lead to Sharp Price Increase
The heightened risk and police vigilance following the crackdown have directly impacted the price of the deadly string. According to buyers from the Old City and Secunderabad, the cost has risen significantly. A 6,000-metre reel that once cost around Rs 1,500 now sells for Rs 2,100, with an additional Rs 100 delivery charge. Traders attribute this surge to the extreme risks they now face.
Market insiders trace the current wave of supply to March of the previous year, when large consignments began flooding the market. Dhoolpet served as a major distribution point, supplying stock across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and neighbouring states. "At least two large containers of Chinese manja were shipped here," revealed a seller with 35 years in the trade. While many traders quit fearing police raids, others have persisted through elaborate backdoor networks.
Calls for Sustained Action Beyond Festive Seasons
Environmental activists argue that sporadic crackdowns are insufficient. They emphasize the need for continuous, year-round enforcement and strict punishment to truly curb the menace. Pradeep P of the Animal Welfare Conservation Society pointed out that daily cases of animal cruelty prove the deadly manja remains in circulation. "As long as there is demand, sellers will find new ways," he stated, advocating for persistent monitoring.
Forest department officials confirm they are coordinating with multiple agencies to track the illegal trade. A. Shankaran, OSD (Wildlife), stated that while significant strides have been made, the department is continuously monitoring the situation to dismantle the underground supply chains that now fuel this dangerous trade.
