Man's nose severed by Chinese manja during Sankranti celebrations in Medchal
Medchal: A man in the Medchal district suffered a severe injury when a Chinese Manja kite string severed his nose on January 10, 2025. The incident occurred in Bhogaram village, under the jurisdiction of Keesara Police Station, as the region gears up for Sankranti celebrations.
According to the victim, the local school management distributed Chinese Manja to students to participate in kite-flying activities. Srikanth, the victim, was walking towards the field when the kite string cut his nose, causing deep lacerations that required three stitches. He has since filed a formal complaint with the Keesara Police.
This incident highlights growing concerns about the dangers of Chinese Nylon Manja, a hazardous kite string made from synthetic nylon coated with abrasive materials like glass powder. Despite a ban on its sale and use in Telangana, the illegal trade of Chinese Manja continues to put lives at risk, especially around the Sankranti festival, when kite-flying is popular.
Residents are increasingly calling for stricter enforcement of the 2016 ban on Chinese Manja. They argue that the material, which can cut through the skin, poses a significant threat to pedestrians, motorcyclists, and even animals. Last year, the tragic death of Army officer Koteshwar Reddy, who was killed by the string while riding a motorcycle in Hyderabad, brought the issue into sharper focus.
Abdul Khadar, whose nephew was severely injured in a similar incident, urged the government to take immediate action. He shared a video on social media describing how his nephew Mohammad Rehan narrowly escaped death after the nylon string cut his neck near Asik Nagar in Nampally. The boy was rushed to the hospital and recovered, but Khadar said that the situation could have been much worse.
"Authorities must act before the harmful strings hit the market in full force," said Harish Daga, a concerned local resident, in a social media post. He tagged key law enforcement officials, including Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand and Telangana’s Director General of Police, to demand swift action.
The Telangana government banned Chinese Nylon Manja in 2016, following concerns over its hazardous nature, but enforcement of the ban remains weak. In response to increasing public pressure, the Hyderabad Police conducted a special drive on January 3, 2025, to curtail Chinese Manja's illegal trade. The operation led to the seizure of nearly 1,000 bobbins of the string, with 14 cases registered and multiple arrests made. However, with the market still flooded with illegal Manja, safety concerns persist.
The 2023-2024 period saw a rise in cases related to Chinese Manja, with authorities registering 49 cases in 2024 alone and seizing over 6,000 bobbins. Despite the crackdown, the trade remains rampant, and experts warn that the consequences of Chinese Manja can be deadly. Violators of the ban face penalties under the Environment (Protection) Act, which includes imprisonment and hefty fines.
In addition to the human toll, Chinese Manja poses a serious risk to wildlife, especially birds, which can become entangled in the sharp string. The non-biodegradable material also contributes to environmental pollution, making it a persistent urban hazard.
