Chinese manja kills at least 3 across states during Sankranti, over 100 injured

At least three people were killed and more than 100 injured across multiple states after banned glass-coated kite strings, commonly known as Chinese manja, sliced through necks and faces during Makar Sankranti celebrations, according to reports.

The incidents were reported from Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, as kite-flying coincided with routine travel, leaving lethal strings dangling across roads, bridges and flyovers.

In Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur, 28-year-old doctor Sameer Hashmi died after a Chinese manja slit his throat near a public school campus while he was riding his motorcycle back from Jaunpur city to Kerakat town, The Times of India reported. He was rushed to a district hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Jaunpur has now recorded two such deaths within a month. On December 11, school teacher Sandeep Tripathi, 45, was similarly killed when a manja cut his throat on Sadhbhavna bridge over the Gomti river.


“Despite a continuing drive and seizures from kite shops and vendors, such cases are happening,” Jaunpur additional superintendent of police Goldi Gupta told TOI, urging the public to report illegal sale and use of the banned string.

In Telangana’s Sangareddy district, a 38-year-old migrant farm worker Avadhesh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh died after a kite string cut his throat while he was riding a two-wheeler in Fasalwadi village, reports said. Police said the string got entangled around his neck, causing severe bleeding. He was declared dead on arrival at a government hospital.

His 19-year-old son, who was travelling with him, filed a police complaint.

Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj said preliminary investigations suggest the string may not have been Chinese manja, adding that expert opinion and scientific investigation are underway.

In northern Karnataka, a 48-year-old gram panchayat worker, Sanjeev Kumar Hosamani, was killed when a ground glass-laced kite string hanging across a road slit his throat as he rode his motorcycle in Bidar district, PTI said. He was on his way to bring his daughter home from a hostel for the Sankranti festival. He fell from the bike and died on the spot, police said.

Several non-fatal but serious injuries were also reported. In Varanasi, a motorcyclist suffered deep cuts to his eyelids and nose after being struck by manja on a bridge, TOI reported. Telangana police said at least 10 people have been injured in recent weeks, including a police officer who required 10 stitches to his neck and a four-year-old boy who needed 12 stitches.

In Jaipur, more than 100 people, many of them bikers, were treated for facial and neck injuries caused by snapped kite strings, TOI said. A seven-month-old baby reportedly suffered a throat cut.

Chinese manja, made of synthetic or nylon thread coated with glass powder, has been banned in several states due to its danger to humans, birds and the environment. Telangana banned it in 2016, with violations punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, PTI reported.

Ahead of Sankranti, Hyderabad police said they had stepped up enforcement, registering over 100 cases, seizing banned strings and arresting sellers involved in its sale and transport.