| Chinese ‘Manjha’ fatal, say medical experts | | Jammu Police warn of tough action against suppliers, sellers | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 13: In a tough warning, Jammu Police have launched a massive drive against the supply and sale of Chinese 'manjha'.
Medical experts have said that the thread is fatal to humans, birds, and animals.
So far, around 11 people have suffered serious injuries due to Chinese threads while riding two-wheelers in various areas of Jammu city.
Initiating stern action against suppliers and sellers, Jammu Police have launched a crackdown in the markets and seized stocks of Chinese 'manjha' and nylon thread ahead of the Rakshabandhan festival, which falls on August 28. Kite flying is a tradition in Jammu on the occasions of Rakshabandhan and Janmashtami.
"We have launched a strict drive against the sellers and also seized Chinese and nylon thread from the markets," a senior police officer said.
The officer said, "For a small amount of profit, you cannot risk anybody's life. Chinese thread is fatal, and its use is putting so many lives at risk."
"We are spreading awareness and have also appealed to the people that if they have any information about its sale, they should share it with the police. Without disclosing the identity, swift action will be taken against the culprits," he said.
He said that posters and banners are being put up across Jammu to make people aware of the harms of using Chinese 'manjha'.
"The Jammu district administration has already issued an advisory in this regard, and police are also taking several measures as per the law to prevent its sale," the officer said.
He revealed that FIRs have been registered and some sellers involved in the business have been arrested. "We have appealed to all shopkeepers not to sell Chinese 'manjha', but if anybody is still found involved, will not be spared," he said.
"There will be no lenient treatment for sellers and suppliers. We have registered FIRs and arrested some shopkeepers for violating the guidelines," he added.
"We are making people aware and appealing to them not to buy nylon 'manjha' and boycott it in the larger interest," the officer said.
He said, "Action is not only being taken against the sellers but also against the suppliers and transporters."
Renowned surgeon from Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Sanajay Bhasin, told UNI, "The chemical used in the thread is very harmful, and the trachea (the tube in the throat that carries air to the lungs) gets damaged when hit by Chinese 'manjha'."
He said that due to a lack of oxygen supply to the lungs, heart, and brain, the chances of death remain high.
"Chinese manjha is made from synthetic materials such as nylon or monofilament fishing lines, coated with glass powder or metal, making it extremely sharp and durable," he said, adding that it has high tensile strength, which allows it to cut through flesh and bone easily, causing severe injuries.
"When it comes into contact with humans or animals, it can cause deep lacerations, wing injuries, bone fractures and even decapitation," Dr Bhasin added.
He said that the use of Chinese 'manjha' has been banned in India since 2017 due to its hazardous nature, but enforcement remains a challenge, with many vendors continuing to sell it while users are often unaware of the risks.
"Avoid using Chinese 'manjha' and instead opt for traditional cotton manjha, and let us promote safer kite-flying practices," he said.
Meanwhile, one of the survivors of such an incident, whose name was not disclosed, said, "I suffered a cut on my throat due to Chinese 'manjha', and it damaged my larynx (voice box), which contains the vocal cords."
"The soft tissues and cartilage located above the vocal cords were damaged, and I lost my original voice," he stated.
In some recent cases, Jammu Police have registered FIRs against people selling banned nylon thread and Chinese 'manjha' (Gattu) in various parts of the city and have so far arrested seven persons, along with recovering a number of rolls of the dreaded thread.
In a public advisory, Jammu Police have appealed to people not to buy or use 'Gattu' thread and to report any sale or stock of such material to the nearest police station. Parents have also been requested to monitor their children while they are flying kites and to use only safe, cotton-based thread to avoid accidents.
"Jammu Police remains committed to ensuring public safety and urges the community to support such efforts by staying vigilant and cooperative," said a police spokesman. |
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