Hyderabad police intensify crackdown on Chinese Manja; contraband worth Rs 1.24 crore seized

Hyderabad: Ahead of the Sankranti festival, the city police have stepped up enforcement against the banned ‘Chinese Manja’ (synthetic/nylon kite string) to curb its sale, storage and transportation across the city. The special drive has resulted in large-scale seizures and arrests.

As part of the ongoing drive, the Hyderabad City Police have registered 103 cases and arrested 143 persons. A total of 6,226 bobbins of banned Chinese Manja, with an estimated market value of Rs 1,24,52,000, have been seized.

‘Festival of joy should not endanger lives’

Addressing the media, Commissioner of Police, VC Sajjanar, IPS, said Sankranti is a festival of joy and kite-flying, but celebrations should not endanger lives. He reiterated that the Government has imposed a complete ban on Chinese Manja due to the serious threat it poses to humans, birds and the environment.

“Despite the ban, illegal sales are being carried out clandestinely. There will be zero tolerance. Anyone found selling, storing or transporting Chinese Manja will face immediate criminal action. Special teams have been deployed across the city,” he said.

Online sales also under surveillance

The Commissioner also pointed out that some traders have shifted to online platforms to evade enforcement.

“We have put in place round-the-clock surveillance on e-commerce platforms and social media. Strict legal action will be taken against those involved in the online sale or purchase of Chinese Manja,” he warned.

He further cautioned parents about the dangers of the metallic coating on Chinese Manja, which can cause severe injuries and even electric shocks, especially to children.

Citizens were urged to use only traditional cotton kite strings and to report violations by dialling 100 or through WhatsApp at 94906 16555.

Arrests and seizures across Hyderabad

The South West Zone reported the highest number of violations, with 34 cases registered and 46 arrests, leading to the seizure of 3,265 bobbins worth Rs 65,30,000.

This was followed by the South Zone, where 27 cases were booked and 35 persons arrested, resulting in the seizure of 1,861 bobbins valued at Rs 37,22,000.

In the East Zone, 18 cases were registered against 29 persons, with seizures worth Rs 6,02,000. The South East Zone reported nine cases and 10 arrests. The Central, North, and West Zones reported six, five, and four cases, respectively.

The Commissioner’s Task Force played a key role in the enforcement drive, accounting for 67 cases, 87 arrests, and seizures of banned manja worth Rs 68,78,000.

Addl. CP (Crimes & SIT) M Srinivasulu, IPS; DCPs Shri Khare Kiran Prabhakar, IPS, G Chandra Mohan, IPS, Gaikwad Vaibhav Raghunath, IPS; Addl. DCP (Task Force) Ande Srinivas Rao and other officials attended the event. On this occasion, the Commissioner of Police congratulated the officers, their team members, and the staff, and presented them with cash awards, a public statement said.