Amritsar residents demand action as Chinese ‘manja’ sale still on

Even as the kite flying season has already begun and is expected to gain momentum during the upcoming winter holidays, the continued sale and use of plastic kite flying thread has emerged as a serious concern for residents. Despite a complete ban on the plastic thread, also known as the Chinese ‘manja’, it is allegedly being sold openly in several parts of the city, putting lives at risk.

Residents said that every year during the kite-flying season, cases of injuries to pedestrians, two-wheeler riders and birds are reported due to the sharp plastic thread, which does not break easily and has a razor sharp coating, leading to many fatal accidents in the past. People riding motorcycles often get the thread entangled around their necks or hands, leading to serious injuries.

Some local residents and social organisations have demanded strict implementation of the ban imposed by the administration. They alleged that while the ban exists on paper, enforcement on the ground remains weak. “Plastic thread is still available in the market. Shopkeepers sell it secretly, and no serious action is taken against them,” said a resident of the walled city, Gurcharan Das.

Environmental activists have also raised concern over the harm caused to birds and animals by the Chinese ‘manja’. Many birds get trapped in the thread during kite flying and suffer deep cuts on their wings and necks. Veterinary volunteers say that such cases increase sharply during winter holidays when children and youth spend more time flying kites.

While schools and administration have been urging parents to discourage children from using plastic thread and instead opt for traditional ‘dor’, which is safer and biodegradable, the outcome has not improved. Several residents have appealed to the district administration and police to conduct regular raids, seize banned material and impose heavy fines on violators.

Officials from the administration said that instructions had been issued to the departments concerned to keep a strict watch on the sale of plastic kite thread.