A 15-year-old boy suffered critical injuries on Sunday after a banned Chinese manjha (glass-coated kite string) slashed his neck on the busy Shyamganj flyover in Bareilly. The incident has triggered widespread public outrage over the unchecked sale of the prohibited string in the city.
Victim Identified as Minister's Nephew
The victim, Veer Singh Gangwar, is the nephew of Uttar Pradesh cane development minister Sanjay Gangwar and the son of block pramukh Ajay Singh Gangwar. Veer was riding his electric scooter toward a local stadium when the deadly string got entangled around his neck on the flyover. The manjha inflicted a deep gash, causing him to lose control of the vehicle and crash. Passers-by witnessed the teenager bleeding on the road and immediately alerted the police and his family.
Hospitalized in Critical Condition
Veer was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he is currently battling for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Doctors stated that he sustained a severe, deep wound to his throat and remains under constant monitoring.
Minister's Outrage and Demand for Action
Upon receiving the news, minister Sanjay Gangwar travelled from Pilibhit to Bareilly to visit his nephew. Expressing deep concern and anger over the lapse in enforcement, the minister questioned how the banned item was still accessible. “Even though Chinese manjha is completely banned, it is still being sold openly. I will speak directly with the district magistrate and the SSP, and direct them to launch a strict crackdown and take action against anyone selling this prohibited item.”
Police Assurance
Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya assured swift justice, stating, “Strict action will be taken against those found selling or stocking the banned Chinese thread.”
Recurring Hazard
Local residents note that this is far from an isolated incident. “The stadium bridge and the Shyamganj flyover stretch have witnessed several similar horrific accidents involving Chinese manjha in the past,” said Rajeev Kumar, a resident of the area. The incident has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of the ban on Chinese manjha, which has been prohibited due to its danger to humans and birds.
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