Punjab Government has enforced a ban on the Chinese string, popularly known as China dor or manjha, in view of the approaching Basant Panchami festival. The prohibitory orders came at a time when the Punjab Police has already arrested no less than 255 persons for selling banned ‘Chinese manjha’ recovering 11,364 bundles in a month’s time.

“Considering the gravity of the situation in view of the fast approaching Basant Panchmi festival, when customarily the people fly kites in large numbers, Punjab Government has ordered a ban on the sale, storage, and purchase of such kind of China Dori made of synthetic material or any other similar material which is being sold and used for kite flying purposes, which is dangerous to not only the human life but also to the birds and the seizure the same immediately,” said the state Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Monday.

Besides, the state Director General of Police (DGP) has also been directed to immediately issue directions to all the station house officers (SHOs) to conduct raids within their area of jurisdiction.

“The orders have been given in accordance with the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court…dated January 20, 2015. Further, all the Deputy Commissioners in the State have been directed to inform the general public about the dangerous nature of the China Dori, so that they can educate their children not to use such kind of dori for flying kites since it is a conductor of electricity, as this would have a great bearing on the safety of human life, particularly the birds,” said the Minister.

Besides, the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, vide notification dated February 23, 2018, had passed the directions regarding complete ban on the manufacture, sale, storage, purchase, supply, import and use of kite flying thread made out of nylon, plastic or any other synthetic material including the popularly known ‘Chinese dor/manjha’ and any other synthetic kite flying thread which is quoted with synthetic substance and is non-biodegrable, in the State of Punjab.

All Executive Magistrates in the state of Punjab, officers of the rank of Wildlife Inspectors and above of the Forest Department, Officers of the rank of Sub-Inspectors and above of the Punjab Police, Class 'C' and above officials of the Municipal Bodies of the State and Officers of the rank of Assistant Environmental Engineers and above of the Punjab Pollution Control Board have been authorized to ensure implementation of the above directions, said the Minister.

He added that the National Green Tribunal in its order dated July 11, 2017, had also directed the State Governments to this effect and stated that in case of violation of any of the directions given in this Judgment, appropriate steps be taken against the defaulters under the provision of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; Prevention of Cruelty of Animal Act, 1960; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Penal Code or any other provision of law.

255 Arrested in a Month

Punjab’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Headquarters, Sukhchain Singh Gill, sharing monthly details on action taken against sellers trading in the Chinese Kite string on Monday, said that the Police teams have recovered 11,364 Chinese dor bundles after registering 234 FIRs and arresting 255 people indulged in selling this fatal kite flying string.

As per the directions of Chief Minister, Punjab Police will take strict action against those buying or selling Chinese kite flying string, he added.