Chinese Manjha Deaths Surge Across India During Makar Sankranti, From Surat to Indore

A deadly spike in accidents linked to banned Chinese manjha has cast a dark shadow over Makar Sankranti celebrations across multiple Indian states. From Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh to Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the razor-sharp kite string has claimed several lives and left many others seriously injured over the past few days, once again highlighting the persistent failure to curb its illegal sale and use.

One of the most horrific incidents occurred in Surat, where a man, his wife and their 10-year-old daughter lost their lives after their motorcycle plunged off a flyover. The family was crossing the Jilani flyover when a kite string suddenly appeared in front of the bike. In an attempt to avoid it, the rider lost balance, causing the motorcycle to topple off the bridge. While the man and the child died on the spot, the woman succumbed to her injuries during treatment the next day. CCTV footage of the incident has since circulated widely, triggering public outrage.

In another case from Surat’s Jahangirpura area, an eight-year-old child died after his neck was slashed by Chinese manjha during kite flying. What should have been a festive day turned into a tragedy, reinforcing concerns over public safety during Sankranti celebrations.

The danger was not limited to Gujarat. In Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, a doctor riding a two-wheeler was killed when the sharp string cut deeply into his throat, reportedly severing a neck bone. Despite a statewide ban, locals alleged that Chinese manjha continues to be supplied openly, often under the guise of ordinary nylon strings.

Several serious injuries were reported from Rajasthan. In Ajmer, a 25-year-old woman riding a scooter suffered severe neck injuries and required multiple stitches. In Kota, a 70-year-old man and an eight-year-old child were injured in separate incidents, suffering slashes to the neck and face after coming into contact with the banned string.

Madhya Pradesh witnessed a string of alarming cases as well. In Indore, a young man remains in critical condition after his throat was cut while riding on a bridge. In another incident, a local businessman died after sustaining fatal neck injuries from kite string. In Chhindwara, a 24-year-old mechanic suffered fractured ribs and a broken shoulder after being struck by Chinese manjha while riding his bike. His family has appealed for financial assistance to cover mounting medical bills.

A similar injury was reported from Jamnagar, where a 42-year-old biker was rushed to hospital after sustaining a deep neck wound caused by kite string on an overbridge.

Chinese manjha, often coated with powdered glass or metal, is officially banned across many states due to its lethal nature. Yet, every year, especially during kite-flying festivals, it resurfaces in markets through illegal channels. Apart from humans, the string also poses a serious threat to birds, stray animals and emergency workers.

Police and civic authorities have once again urged citizens to avoid banned kite strings and report their sale or use. Officials claim enforcement will be intensified, but recurring fatalities suggest that existing measures remain inadequate. As celebrations continue in parts of the country, the rising death toll has renewed calls for stricter crackdowns, better public awareness, and stronger accountability to prevent further loss of life.