A young man sustained life-threatening injuries in Bhubaneswar’s Pokhariput area when a banned Chinese manja kite string slashed his neck and hand while he was riding a motorcycle.
The victim, identified as Kamala Kant, a resident of Kalpana area, was travelling on his bike when the sharp, glass-coated string—commonly used in competitive kite flying—struck him, causing deep cuts. Upon realising the severity of the neck wound, he immediately stopped and rushed to a hospital.
He received initial treatment at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar but was later transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack due to the critical nature of his injuries.
The incident occurred just days before Makar Sankranti, when kite flying reaches its peak in Odisha.
Despite a statewide ban on Chinese manja since 2017, imposed for its lethal sharpness, the prohibited strings continue to circulate secretly during the festival season, leading to recurring accidents. Reports indicate that over the past decade, such incidents have caused 4 deaths and injured more than 24 people across Odisha.
Authorities and activists have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement, warning that the abrasive coating on these strings poses grave risks not only to two-wheeler riders but also to birds and pedestrians.
As Makar Sankranti approaches, the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police have stepped up efforts to curb the menace. Special squads are conducting large-scale raids across major markets, including BJB Nagar, Unit-1 Market, and other kite-selling hubs.
Large quantities of banned Chinese manja have been seized from shops and godowns, while several vendors have received stern warnings against selling the prohibited item. Police have vowed to continue the crackdown and take strict legal action against violators in the coming days.
Citizens are urged to remain vigilant during kite flying and avoid using or purchasing banned manja to ensure a safe festival.
