A surge in Chinese manjha accidents during Makar Sankranti killed several people and injured many across India, exposing continued illegal use despite bans and repeated safety warnings from authorities.
A spate of deadly incidents linked to the banned Chinese kite string, commonly known as Chinese manjha, has left several people dead and many others critically injured across multiple states over the past five days, raising fresh concerns over enforcement failures during the Makar Sankranti festival period.
In one of the most tragic incidents, a man, his wife and their 10-year-old daughter were killed after their motorcycle fell from a flyover in Surat on January 14. The family was crossing the Jilani flyover, also known as the Chandrashekhar Azad overbridge, when a kite string suddenly came in front of the bike. While attempting to avoid it, the rider lost control and the family plunged off the bridge. CCTV footage of the fall has since surfaced. The man and child died on the spot, while the woman succumbed to her injuries during treatment the following day.
Another fatal incident was reported from Surat’s Jahangirpura area, where an eight-year-old child died after his neck was slit by Chinese manjha during Makar Sankranti celebrations, turning what is usually a festive day into a moment of mourning for the family.
In Jaunpur, a doctor was killed after his throat was slit by the sharp kite string despite a statewide ban. Witnesses said the string cut so deep that it severed the neck bone. He died before reaching the hospital. Locals alleged that banned Chinese manjha continues to be supplied openly to kite flyers.
Several serious injuries were reported across Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In Ajmer, a 25-year-old woman riding a scooter suffered severe neck injuries after the string got entangled around her throat. Doctors at a government hospital had to apply eight stitches to stop the bleeding.
In Kota, a 70-year-old man and an eight-year-old child were injured in separate incidents when Chinese manjha slashed their neck and face respectively. Both were admitted to hospital and remain under medical care.
Madhya Pradesh reported multiple cases within days. In Indore, a youth was left in critical condition after his throat was cut on a bridge, while in another incident, a businessman died after suffering a fatal neck injury caused by a kite string. Police said investigations are ongoing, though officials have stopped short of confirming the material involved in some cases.
In Chhindwara, a 24-year-old mechanic sustained serious injuries, including fractured ribs and a broken shoulder, after being struck by Chinese manjha while riding his bike. His family has appealed to the government for financial assistance to cover medical expenses.
Another injury was reported from Jamnagar, where a 42-year-old biker was rushed to hospital after suffering a deep neck wound from kite string on an overbridge.
