Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Jan 26: The deadly threat posed by banned Chinese manja resurfaced in Telangana on Monday, as a five-year-old girl lost her life in a tragic incident in Hyderabad, highlighting the continued misuse of the hazardous kite string despite strict prohibitions.

The fatal accident took place in the Kukatpally area when the child, Nishvika Aditya, was travelling on a motorcycle with her family. Police said a kite string suddenly became wrapped around her neck, inflicting a severe cut that led to heavy bleeding. The child died on the spot.

At the time of the incident, Nishvika was seated in front of her father, who was riding the motorcycle, while her elder sister was seated behind. The family was travelling from Khajipalli in Medchal–Malkajgiri district towards Kukatpally when the accident occurred.

Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to identify those responsible for flying the kite using the prohibited synthetic string.

This marks the second fatal incident involving Chinese manja in Telangana within a fortnight. On January 14, a 35-year-old migrant worker from Uttar Pradesh, identified as Avidesh, was killed in Sangareddy district after the sharp string slashed his neck while he was riding a motorcycle.

Authorities said the danger has been widespread, with more than a dozen people injured in similar incidents across Hyderabad and surrounding areas this month alone. Among the injured were a police assistant sub-inspector and a 70-year-old woman.

Last year, the lethal nature of Chinese manja was underscored when an Indian Army Naik, Kagithala Koteswar Reddy, died after suffering a deep throat injury caused by the string while riding a scooter on the Indra Reddy flyover in the Langar Houz area. He later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

Despite a ban, the use of Chinese manja surged during the recent Sankranti festival, prompting Hyderabad Police to intensify enforcement measures. As part of a special drive to curb its sale, storage and transportation, police seized 2,150 bobbins worth Rs 43 lac between January 8 and January 11, registering 29 cases and arresting 57 people.

Over the past month, authorities have booked 132 cases, confiscated 8,376 bobbins valued at Rs 1.68 crore, and arrested around 200 individuals. Officials have reiterated that strict action will continue against violators as the dangerous practice continues to claim lives.