With the festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami around the corner, the Jammu Police and local administration have intensified their efforts to eliminate the sale and use of banned Banned Chinese Manja, a synthetic, glass-coated kite string known for causing severe injuries to both birds and humans.
In a continued drive to enforce the ban, SHO Pacca Danga, Rakesh Jamwal, has launched a strict campaign against the sale and use of nylon-coated thread, commonly referred to as Gattu Dor.
SHO Jamwal has appealed to the public to refrain from using the banned thread, citing the serious danger it poses during kite-flying activities. He also warned of strict legal action against shopkeepers found selling Gattu.
In a significant development, ASI Raj Singh Bhau and his team arrested one individual and recovered a large quantity of banned thread. The accused, Labbu Ram, son of the late Bodh Raj and a resident of Ward No. 3, Ghou Manhasan, was apprehended with 140 rolls of Gattu Dor. A case has been registered under FIR No. 171/2025 U/S 223 at Police Station Domana.
In a separate operation, Arnia Police led by SHO Devinder Singh seized 12 rolls of Chinese manja based on a tip-off. The accused, Sahil Gupta, son of Subash Gupta from Arnia, was arrested, and a case under FIR No. 71/2022 U/S 188 IPC was filed for violating the District Magistrate’s order banning plastic and synthetic threads.
A Deadly Threat to Birds and Humans
Each year, thousands of birds suffer fatal injuries due to entanglement in razor-sharp synthetic manja. The risks extend to humans, with motorcyclists, children, and pedestrians often injured by invisible threads suspended from trees and electric poles.
“Kite flying should be about fun, not fatalities. We’ve seen many incidents where people were seriously hurt and even lost their lives due to this dangerous Chinese string,” said a concerned shopkeeper in Jammu’s Old City.
Local Manja Makers Demand Protection
Local kite and manja artisans in Jammu have voiced their support for the crackdown, stating that the sale of Chinese manja has deeply affected their traditional cotton-based manja businesses.
“Cotton manja is much safer. Nylon threads are sharper and cause deep wounds, especially to birds,” said Vishal Sharma, a college student and kite enthusiast.
The community of local manja makers has urged the government to strictly enforce the ban and promote eco-friendly alternatives to revive the traditional trade and ensure safety during the kite-flying season.
The Jammu Police have once again appealed to the public to avoid purchasing or selling synthetic manja and to report violators. Authorities have assured strict legal action under the Motor Vehicles Act and other relevant laws.
As Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami near, the administration remains committed to ensuring a safe, eco-friendly, and accident-free celebration for all citizens.
