Illegal sale of banned Chinese manja: Kalapathar kite shop owner held, stock worth Rs 6.9 lakh seized

Hyderabad: A kite seller in Kalapathar has been arrested for allegedly procuring and selling banned nylon-coated Chinese manja bobbins in the city. The total cost of the seized illegal manja bobbins is said to be Rs 6.9 lakh.

The sleuths of the Commissioner’s Task Force, West Zone, acting on credible information, apprehended Mohd. Shazaib at Sadhu Kite Shop, Deccan Bakery, Kalapathar.

Police said that Mohd. Shazaib (42) is a resident of Guntal Shah Baba ki Dargah, Vatapally.

The seized banned Chinese manja includes:

- Banned Material: Monofil Gold – Synthetic Nylon-Coated Chinese Manja

- Quantity: 345 bobbins

- Estimated Value: Rs 6,90,000

Case details

The accused, to earn quick money through illegal means, procured the banned manja through his associate Vikram Mehta, a native of Karnal, Haryana, who sourced the banned Chinese Manja from Haryana and transported it to Hyderabad. The accused was selling the banned Manja at Rs 2,000 per bobbin for illegal gain.

The Government of Telangana State has imposed a ban on the procurement, stocking, sale, and use of Chinese Manja (nylon thread) for kite flying to protect birds and human life. The ban was declared in January 2016 under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Any person found violating the said orders is liable for imprisonment up to 5 years or a fine up to Rs 1,00,000 or both.

The accused, along with the seized material, has been handed over to the SHO, Kalapather PS, for further investigation and necessary legal action.

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

‘Festival of joy should not endanger lives’

Earlier, 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.