Indian Army soldier bleeds to death in Hyderabad as banned Chinese manja slits his throat on Makar Sankranti

In a tragic incident on the eve of Indian Army Day, a 29-year-old Indian Army soldier, Naik K Koteshwara Reddy, lost his life on Saturday in a shocking incident in Hyderabad. Reddy, who was traveling on a two-wheeler to the Military Hospital in Golconda for work, suffered a fatal injury when a banned nylon manja, used for kite flying, got entangled with a lamppost and slit his throat on the Langar Houz flyover.

The soldier, a driver in the hospital's motor transport wing, fell from his scooter when the Chinese manja, which is prohibited in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, tightened around his neck. Despite efforts by fellow motorist Shankar Goud to rush him to the hospital, Reddy succumbed to his severe bleeding. Goud carried him on his shoulder and arranged for a rickshaw to transport him to the Military Hospital, but unfortunately, Reddy passed away while undergoing treatment.

Reddy leaves behind his wife and a two-year-old daughter. His grieving wife, K Prathyusha, revealed that he had left home at 6 pm that day. Expressing her anguish, Prathyusha filed a complaint urging necessary action against those involved in the sale of banned manja. She emphasized the potential danger it poses to both humans and animals.


Following an autopsy, Reddy's mortal remains were handed over to his family, and the final rites were conducted in his native Visakhapatnam district. The police have registered a case of culpable homicide against unknown individuals, and an investigation is currently underway.

Chinese manja, known for its thin and almost invisible nature, is widely used by kite flyers during the Sankranti festival due to its durability and resistance to cutting. However, its use is prohibited in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana due to the potential harm it can cause.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with using banned manja during kite flying. Authorities and citizens alike must work together to raise awareness about the hazards of such materials to prevent further loss of life.