Ahead of the vibrant Sankranti festival, the Bhopal police have taken a decisive step to ensure public safety. Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra issued a stringent prohibitory order on Tuesday, banning the use, sale, and storage of the hazardous Chinese manjha within the entire Bhopal metropolitan area.
Immediate Ban for Public Safety
The order, which comes into effect immediately, will remain in force for the next two months. Commissioner Mishra cited urgent concerns raised by both the media and the public regarding the severe dangers posed by this glass-coated kite string. The administration anticipates large-scale kite-flying during the upcoming festivals and deemed this pre-emptive action necessary.
The primary reasons for the ban are the high tensile strength of the Chinese manjha and the sharp glass particles coated on it. These features make the string exceptionally dangerous, leading to gruesome accidents. The order explicitly states that the use of this string has a detrimental impact on the health and safety of animals, birds, and the general public.
Why Chinese Manjha is a Menace
The perils of Chinese manjha are twofold and well-documented. Birds are frequent victims, often getting entangled in discarded or loose strings. This results in deep cuts, wing damage, and, in many tragic instances, death due to injury or starvation.
Human lives are equally at risk. Road users, particularly two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, have suffered serious injuries after accidentally coming into contact with the nearly invisible, razor-sharp string. These incidents often lead to severe lacerations on the neck and limbs.
Legal Framework and Compliance
The prohibitory order has been enacted under Section 163(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNS), 2023, as an urgent, ex parte measure. However, the commissioner's directive includes a provision for appeals. Any individual, organisation, or party seeking an exemption can submit a formal application to the commissioner's office for consideration after a due hearing.
Violation of any part of this order will invite penal action under Section 223 of the BNS, 2023. The ban will be valid for two months from the date of issuance unless it is withdrawn earlier by the authorities.
This move by the Bhopal Police underscores a growing national awareness about the ecological and public safety hazards of Chinese manjha, especially during festive seasons when kite-flying is a popular tradition.
