Chinese manja ban: criminal action warned by Hyderabad CP

Hyderabad: Hyderabad Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar on Monday announced strict enforcement of the Chinese manja ban across the city. He warned that police will book criminal cases against anyone who sells or stores the banned kite string.

Ahead of the Sankranti festival, Sajjanar said Chinese manja poses a serious threat to birds, children, and road users. Therefore, police will show zero tolerance toward violators. He added that officers will take immediate criminal action against anyone who flouts the ban.

The Commissioner said he has issued clear instructions to field officers to enforce the ban and strengthen preventive measures. Although kite flying remains a festival tradition, he stressed that it must not endanger lives or harm the environment.

Moreover, Sajjanar said Chinese manja causes long-term environmental damage because it does not decompose and stays in the soil for years. He recalled that the government imposed a complete ban under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, on its manufacture, sale, storage, transport, and use.

Chinese manja ban to be enforced with citywide surveillance

Meanwhile, Sajjanar said police have activated a special citywide surveillance system to enforce the ban strictly. Task Force teams and local police will jointly conduct surprise inspections at kite shops, grocery stores, and suspected godowns across all zones.

In addition, police have intensified checks on transport agencies and parcel services bringing banned manja from other states. If agencies violate the law, police will register criminal cases against the owners, he warned.

Appealing to parents, the Commissioner urged them to act responsibly and stop children from using Chinese manja. He explained that the string often contains plastic, synthetic fibres, glass powder, and metal particles. In the past, these materials caused fatal neck injuries to two-wheeler riders, finger amputations among children, and electrocution when they touched power lines.

Finally, Sajjanar called upon citizens to act with social responsibility. He urged the public to report illegal sale or storage of Chinese manja immediately by dialling 100, contacting local police stations, or messaging the Hyderabad Police WhatsApp number. He assured that police will keep the identity of informants confidential.