Ludhiana Man Seeks Justice After Wife's Tragic Death by Banned Kite String
In a heart-wrenching incident in Ludhiana, Punjab, Mandeep Singh (32) is grappling with the sudden loss of his wife, Sarabjit Kaur (32), who died after a banned plastic kite string, commonly known as China dor or Chinese manjha, slit her throat. The tragedy occurred on Sunday around 4:30 PM, when Sarabjit was driving a two-wheeler to the market in Mullanpur town. The string entangled around her neck, causing fatal injuries within seconds.
A Husband's Anguish and Unanswered Questions
Mandeep, who owns the café 'Urban Theka' in Mullanpur, expressed his deep sorrow and frustration. "Even after my wife is gone, will this stop? Will anyone be held responsible for my wife's death? If yes, then who and how?" he asked. He highlighted that his family never used or purchased such kite strings, yet his life has been devastated. Left alone to raise their one-year-old son, Mandeep shared, "My son keeps searching for his mother at night... he can't sleep without her."
He criticized the Punjab Police and government for their inaction, stating, "For them, my wife will be just another case." Mandeep recalled his wife's last words, which still haunt him: "Mere dor firr gi, chetti aao (I sustained an injury due to a plastic string, come fast)."
Broader Issues and Legal Actions
Mandeep pointed out the authorities' misplaced priorities, noting that while they fail to curb drugs and the sale of banned kite strings, they focus on penalizing modified vehicles. "The only solution will be to ban kites altogether so that more people don't lose their family like I did," he asserted. He held everyone involved—buyers, sellers, and parents allowing children to use Chinese manjha—accountable for the tragedy.
In response, the Ludhiana Rural Police registered an FIR at Mullanpur Dakha police station against unknown persons under BNS Sections 106 (1) for causing death by rash or negligent acts and 223 for disobedience to lawful orders. However, Mandeep refused to file the complaint, questioning its efficacy. "What should I do by filing an FIR... when I don't know who got that banned string... Will the case ever reach any conclusion?" he lamented.
Recent Fatalities and Family Background
This incident is part of a disturbing trend in Ludhiana, where two people died within 24 hours last week due to kite strings. On Saturday, Taranjot Singh (15) lost his life in Samrala, followed by Sarabjit's death on Sunday. Mandeep's family includes his father, Jaswant Singh, a gazetted officer in the Indian Air Force, and mother Baljinder Kaur, the District Education Officer in Sangrur, adding to the tragedy's impact on a respected household.
The continued sale of Chinese manjha in markets, despite bans, raises serious concerns about public safety and enforcement in Punjab. As Mandeep mourns, his cries for accountability echo a larger need for stricter measures to prevent such avoidable deaths.
