As Madhya Pradesh gears up for Makar Sankranti, the deadly threat of Chinese manja, the banned nylon-coated kite string, continues to pose a serious risk across the state. Authorities had proactively imposed a ban on the use, sale, and storage of Chinese Manja across the State, along with awareness campaigns to prevent accidents. Despite these measures, multiple incidents highlight that the state is far from safe, with lives are still being lost, and residents are being injured. In Indore, tragedy struck on Sunday evening when Raghuveer Dhakad, a 45-year-old tile contractor from Om Sai Vihar, Bicholi Mardana, was riding his motorcycle between Kanadia and Tilak Nagar. His a stray severed neck Chinese manja near Shakuntala Hospital.

 

He was rushed to MY Hospital but was declared dead. Mere minutes later, NEET aspirant Narendra Jamod suffered severe neck injuries from another kite string on Sapna-Sangeeta Road while travelling with a friend. Both incidents mark the second fatality in Indore in just six weeks, following the death of 16-year-old Gulshan in November 2025 from a similar accident. In Chhindwara, nine-year-old Atharv Karade sustained serious ear injuries while playing outdoors after coming into contact with Chinese Manja. He required 43 stitches and remains under medical observation. Similarly, incidents in Sonkatch last January, saw Moolchand and his wife Purnima suffered deep injuries after falling from their motorbike when Moolchand’s head was slashed by a kite string along the Bhopal-Dewas State Highway. Across the state, authorities have repeatedly emphasised public safety.

 

The “Say No to Chinese Manja” campaigns, including foot rallies, neighbourhood meetings, shop inspections, and helpline awareness, are being conducted in multiple districts. Shopkeepers are warned against selling banned strings, and citizens are urged to use only traditional cotton strings. Yet, black-market distribution continues in Indore, Bhopal outskirts, Ujjain, Gwalior, and other areas, making enforcement a major challenge. Safety experts stress practical precautions during kite flying: avoid carrying children on two-wheelers, slow down near kite-flying areas, and cover the neck with scarves or mufflers.

 

However, residents argue that awareness campaigns alone cannot replace strict enforcement along the entire supply chain, from manufacturing to street-level distribution. An anonymous resident expressed frustration over the same and said “The ban is on paper, but these strings are still everywhere. Even after repeated warnings and campaigns, dangerous manjas continue to claim lives. Until authorities act decisively against the suppliers, more people will be injured or killed