HYDERABAD: Jan 26 :In a heartbreaking incident that has once again highlighted the deadly nature of prohibited synthetic kite strings, a five-year-old girl lost her life in Kukatpally on Monday. The child, identified as Nishvika Aditya, died after a banned “Chinese manja” (glass-coated synthetic string) slit her throat while she was traveling with her father on a two-wheeler.
The Incident
The tragic accident occurred near Vivekananda Nagar in Kukatpally. According to local reports, the young girl was riding on the front of the scooter with her father. They were traveling from Kazipally in Sangareddy district toward Kukatpally when a stray piece of the razor-sharp manja, dangling across the road, entangled around her neck.
The father, noticing his daughter’s sudden cry and heavy bleeding, immediately stopped the vehicle. Despite rushing her to a nearby hospital in a desperate attempt to save her life, doctors declared her dead on arrival.
Police Action and Investigation
The Kukatpally police have registered a case and are currently investigating the source of the manja. Preliminary reports suggest that despite the state-wide ban, some residents continue to fly kites using the lethal string, especially in the weeks following the Sankranti festival.
“A case has been registered, and we are scanning CCTV footage in the area to identify where the kite was being flown from,” a police official stated.
A Recurring Menace
The Telangana government has maintained a strict ban on Chinese manja since 2016 due to the severe threat it poses to humans, birds, and the environment. Unlike traditional cotton thread, Chinese manja is made of nylon or synthetic fibers coated with glass or metal dust, making it non-biodegradable and nearly impossible to break by hand.
Earlier this month, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar had overseen a massive crackdown, seizing bobbins worth over ₹1.68 crore and arresting hundreds of vendors. However, this latest incident proves that the illegal trade and use of the “silent killer” still persist in the city’s outskirts.
Public Outcry
The death of young Nishvika has sparked fresh outrage among Hyderabad residents, with many calling for stricter punishment for those selling and using the banned thread. Experts advise two-wheeler riders to install safety guards on their vehicles or wear neck scarves during the kite-flying season to prevent such fatal injuries.
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