Following orders from the high court, Ahmedabad police have taken a harsh stance against those who sell and use Chinese manja, which is nothing more than a synthetic thread covered in glass.
According to DCP (Control) Komal Vyas, 170 cases involving the seizure of killer manja have been filed to date. Vyas said, “On Wednesday, we seized Chinese manja worth Rs 3 lakh,” while speaking to a press conference. It can be fatal if it gets caught in the neck of a person, usually a commuter, and it hurts birds as well. Their use has had an impact on migratory bird behaviour as well. There have been no reported deaths as a result of killer manja to date.
DCP (Cyber cell) Ajit Rajian reported that Sanjay Srivastava, the head of the city police, has issued orders to crack down on online stores that sell Chinese (nylon) kite strings and lanterns. The cyber cell noted that many people use these strings, which are made of non-biodegradable material such as nylon or other synthetic material, in a letter it sent to e-commerce platforms. Such strings are razor-sharp and can cut, hurt, or kill people and birds. Additionally, the letter warns that the burnable wax used in tukkals is of poor quality and may result in fires that endanger lives and property.
“We have sent warnings to 12 websites asking them not to sell killer manja. We are currently updating other websites as well. We will take legal action against the websites if they don’t stop selling, Rajian warned.
However, sources claim that some individuals are selling the killer manja using a variety of social media sites.
According to City Police Commissioner Sanjay Srivastava, Decoy teams have been organised, to pose as buyers and approach sellers of Chinese manja.
According to sources, a number of Chinese manja vendors have moved their inventory to stores and warehouses in remote areas of Singarva, Kathlal, Vanch, and Bhat village on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.