With the skies of Indore set to be dotted with colourful kites for Makar Sankranti, the city police have launched a stringent drive against the illegal sale and transport of banned Chinese kite string. This nylon-coated thread, commonly known as 'manjha', is notorious for causing severe, sometimes fatal, injuries to both people and birds during the festive season.
Police Squads Seize Contraband in City-Wide Checks
Acting on the imminent threat, police teams across Indore carried out rigorous checks and surveillance operations. The special drive aimed to trace and nab individuals involved in the illicit trade of the prohibited material. The crackdown yielded significant results, with police registering two separate cases and confiscating a large quantity of the dangerous string.
In the first incident, Juni Indore police intercepted a car during a routine check on Khatiwala Tank main road. A search of the vehicle revealed eight sacks filled with the banned Chinese manjha. The authorities arrested the car's occupant, identified as 28-year-old Ravi Rajani. Originally a resident of Shajapur, Rajani was currently living in the Khatiwala Tank area. The police seized banned manjha worth Rs 33,680 from his possession.
Second Arrest Follows Tip-Off, Shop Sealed
In a parallel action, Dwarkapuri police detained 45-year-old Sachin Savla based on a specific tip-off about illegal sale activities in his area. A search led to the recovery of five spools of the banned Chinese thread from Savla. Following the seizure, the police not only registered a case against him but also took the decisive step of sealing his shop to prevent any further illegal sales.
Both accused have been booked under sections 223(a) and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These sections pertain to disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant and for rash or negligent acts that endanger human life or the safety of others.
Supply Chain Probe and Continued Vigilance Promised
The Indore police have indicated that their investigation will not stop at these arrests. Officials stated that the probe will now focus on tracing the broader supply chain behind the seized contraband. Authorities have vowed to continue action against anyone involved in violating the ban, sending a clear message to traders and suppliers.
The crackdown reiterates repeated warnings from civic authorities about the grave dangers posed by nylon-coated Chinese manjha. This sharp string can cause deep, laceration-like cuts to unsuspecting pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. It also poses a lethal threat to birds, often leading to grievous injuries or death when they get entangled in it. The police action ahead of Makar Sankranti is a preventive measure to ensure the festival of kites is celebrated with joy, not marred by tragedy.
