Raj government bans sale of Chinese manjha

Rajasthan government on Tuesday banned sale of Chinese manjha, which is a plastic or syntic string used for flying kites, officials said.

order was issued during a meeting held by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and matter of injuries due to use of manjha was discussed in it, y said.

On CM's directions, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Rajeeva Swarup issued a letter to Jaipur and Jodhpur police commissioners and all district magistrates, asking m to immediately issue prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC to ban sale and stock of such thread.

He also asked m to initiate awareness in schools and colleges, apprising students of danger of using such strings for flying kites.

"Meetings may also be held with distributors of Chinese manjha and kite sellers to apprise m of prohibitory orders," Swarup said.

Chinese manjhas are coated with substances like glass and iron and are used for flying kites which increases possibility of injuries to humans and birds when y come in contact with string.

Several people have been injured due to use of such strings in recent past.

Kite flying is popular in Jaipur and or areas of state on Makar Sankranti, on January 14. Kite lovers, particularly children, start flying kites several days prior to festival.