In a significant enforcement action against the illegal trade of dangerous kite-flying strings, the Pithampur Sector-1 police have seized a substantial stock of banned Chinese manjha. The operation led to the arrest of a shopkeeper and the confiscation of multiple rolls of the prohibited thread.
Police Raid Uncovers Illegal Stock
The crackdown was initiated after Sector-1 Station House Officer (SHO) OP Ahir received specific intelligence about the sale of the banned material in the local market. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, a police team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Omendra Singh Bhati conducted a raid on a shop located near the Radhakrishna temple, adjacent to the Mahindra bridge.
The shop, run by an 18-year-old identified as Naman, was targeted in the operation. During a thorough search of the premises, the police team discovered and recovered 12 large rolls of Chinese manjha, which were reportedly stocked for sale to kite enthusiasts.
Arrest and Legal Action
Following the recovery of the illegal material, the young shopkeeper, Naman, was immediately taken into police custody. The entire stock of the prohibited thread was seized as evidence. The police have registered a case against the accused under the relevant legal provisions.
Naman has been formally booked under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with offenses related to the possession or sale of prohibited goods. This action underscores the police department's commitment to curbing the distribution of Chinese manjha, known for its sharp, non-biodegradable, and metal-coated composition that poses severe risks to birds, animals, and even humans.
Ongoing Crackdown on Hazardous Materials
This seizure in Pithampur is part of a broader, continuous drive by law enforcement agencies across the region to eliminate the use and sale of Chinese manjha. Authorities have repeatedly highlighted the dangers associated with this thread, which causes fatal injuries to wildlife and has led to human fatalities, especially among two-wheeler riders.
The successful raid sends a strong message to traders and suppliers involved in the clandestine market of hazardous kite-flying strings. The police have urged the public to report any information regarding the sale or use of such banned materials and to opt for safer, traditional cotton threads for kite flying.
