No stopping of accidents due to plastic thread

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 24

Even as the local administration has formed a flying squad and the police, too, is registering cases against persons found selling Chinese kite-flying thread, there is no let-up in the accidents caused by the thread.

In one such incident, Balbir Singh, a resident of the Chehharta area, had cut three of his fingers while he was going on a bike two days ago. The victim stated that a plastic thread cut loose touched his hand and three of his fingers were cut before he could do anything.

Later, he was taken to a private hospital where doctors performed a surgery. The injury could have been more lethal had the string touched his face or throat, he said. He stated that according to doctors a total of Rs 40,000 would be spent on his treatment.

Balbir runs a bhangra group to entertain people at functions. “The cost of the surgery is pinching me but what can I do? The person whose string had caused the accident might not be aware of my plight," he said.

The accidents due to the plastic kite-flying thread are reported frequently, but the kite flyers are still to become sensitive towards the innocent victims. “It could happen to anybody on road. People need to be sensitive towards others' lives,” Balbir said.

While the administration, including the police, claims that it keeps a check on the sale of the Chinese thread, local residents say the strictness has only increased the price of the thread as it is being sold in the 'black market'.

It is felt that there is a need for the parents to sensitise their children about the issue along with keeping a check on what type of thread they are using. “If the parents do not allow children to use the plastic thread, the demand and thus accidents will go down automatically,” said Kuljit Singh, a local resident.