With Uttarayan 2026 approaching, the Ahmedabad district administration and city police have intensified their crackdown on banned Chinese manjha, seizing material worth more than ₹8 lakh in multiple raids across the city.
Along with enforcement, authorities have launched awareness campaigns in schools, public places and residential areas to warn citizens about the dangers of the hazardous thread.
According to a notice from the Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Branch), officers have confiscated Chinese manjha worth ₹8,46,650 so far. The seizures include 2,145 spools and 40 firkis. Ramol Police Station made the biggest recovery, seizing 2,040 spools valued at ₹8,16,000.
Other seizures include 40 firkis worth ₹8,000 by Sarkhej Police, 90 spools worth ₹18,900 by Amraiwadi Police, and 15 spools valued at ₹3,750 by Shaherkotda Police. An autorickshaw worth ₹1,70,000 has also been taken into custody as case property.
Cases have been filed mainly under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Gujarat Police Act.
As part of the awareness drive, police teams engaged with students and residents using posters and banners to promote safe kite-flying and discourage the use of the banned thread. Citizens have been urged to report any sale or use of Chinese manjha to their nearest police station.
Meanwhile, in a separate action, the Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) carried out surprise checks at eight medical stores in Ahmedabad for allegedly selling cough syrup without a doctor’s prescription. All eight outlets have been served show-cause notices. The FDCA said strict measures are being taken statewide to ensure safe and quality medicines.
The inspections were conducted at medical stores in Ghatlodia, Satellite, Vejalpur and Prahladnagar, including Apollo Pharmacy (Ghatlodia), Krishna Medical, Solcure Pharmacy, Namnidhi Pharma, Nam: Wellness, Natraj Medical, Apollo Pharmacy (Vejalpur) and Apollo Pharmacy (Prahladnagar).