This is no kite flying! Launching a massive drive to check the use of Chinese dor, the Jalandhar police have made it clear to its sellers that trading can lead to imprisonment and Rs one lakh penalty or both.

Notwithstanding the stringent laws in place banning the usage or selling of Chinese dor (kite string), this unbreakable and non-degradable nylon killer kite string is being made available to the kite-flying lovers. The Jalandhar police have launched the drive in the wake of the ensuing Basant Panchmi festival, which falls on February 5 this year, when people indulge in kite flying at a massive scale.

“A special drive has been launched by Jalandhar Police with the aim to confiscate the Chinese cord and initiate strict legal action against the sellers of this banned material.  Already four such cases have been registered against the unscrupulous sellers under the stringent provisions of law,” said Jalandhar Commissionerate’s ADCP-1 Suhail Mir.

Mir, a young IPS officer known for changing the face of Chatiwind police station, said that the drive will continue to protect people from the unwarranted accidents caused by this lethal Chinese kite flying thread. “We request the people to please cooperate with the police and don’t buy this Chinese cord. Simultaneously, we also warn the shopkeepers not to sell the Chinese cord otherwise they have to face the music,” he added. During Basant Panchami festival, which is celebrated in Punjab with full fervour and enthusiasm, the sale of this Chinese thread, coated with glass or abrasives gains momentum. It is also made available under the counters of some shopkeepers because kite competition is fierce during the festivities, he added.

Mir said that the Chinese kite flying strings are made of nylon or synthetic thread treated with glass and metal to make it sharper. “It is coated with tiny pieces of glass that often cause fatal cuts. These cords are not only dangerous for humans but also for birds. There are many instances where birds got tangled in these Chinese cords...Unlike the cotton thread, it does not break on impact but cuts through the skin,” he added.

“The Chinese strings are also heavy conductors of electricity, and at some places, electricity suppliers have experienced outages due to this hazardous kite thread. In Delhi and NCR, the Court of Jurisdiction has only allowed the use of cotton threads or any natural fibre that is free from metallic or glass components. In Punjab, the Chinese cord is also banned and any violation attracts a jail term and a fine up to Rs one lakh or both,” said the officer, while asking the residents to indulge in kite flying responsibly.

The Jalandhar Police also advised the residents not to fly kites near electricity installations, including overhead cables.

In December last, a two-wheeler rider in Amritsar received a deep cut on his left cheek and jaw. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors made efforts to stitch his injury. The horrifying pictures of the victim went viral on social media creating panic among the people. That was not all! Several birds, including owls, pigeons, and eagles have also got entangled in these Chinese strings in the past. An animal protection organization claimed that hundreds of pigeons die every year due to the killer string.

Punjab Government, on December 18, 2017, had imposed a complete ban on the manufacturing, sale, production, storage, supply, and use of kite flying thread made out of nylon, plastic, or any other synthetic material, including the popularly known ‘Chinese Manjha’ in the state.