Chinese string makes inroads into market

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 28

As Lohri and Basant are approaching near, so does fear of banned Chinese string reaching the market loom large. These festivals cannot be celebrated without flying kites, which is one of the least expensive source of entertainment.

Despite the ban imposed by the district administration, the synthetic kite string (Chinese dor) has reached local markets and people use code words to sell it.

On December 25, the Rambagh police confiscated 20 rolls of plastic string at a check point near Shivala railway crossing. The person riding on a scooter, however, managed to flee from the spot, but Chinese string fell down. Similarly, the Maqboolpura police had seized eight rolls of Chinese string from Pawan Kumar, a resident of Mehta road, who was later released on bail.

On December 24, the rural police had nabbed Paramjit Singh, a resident of Adliwal village, with five rolls of the banned thread. He was also released on bail. The district administration form teams during Lohri to ensure residents don’t use Chinese string.

A number of birds, including owls, pigeons and eagles got entangled in the Chinese strings in the past. These strings proved deadly for human beings, especially commuters on two-wheelers.

“We are aghast by the fact that people don’t understand the repercussions of using killer string. People know this thread is banned and that its use invites legal action, but they don’t bother at all,” said environmentalist PS Bhatty. He said he rescued a number of birds, including owls who were found entangled in Chinese string. “In the last 15 days, we have rescued an eagle and two owls from the Police Commissioner office,” said Dr Rohan Mehra, chief, Anti-crime and Animal Protection Association.

Police Commissioner Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill said, “I have asked officials concerned to take stern action against those found using the banned string. No one will be allowed to use the same in a clandestine manner.”