Hyderabad Police seize banned Chinese Manja worth ₹1.24 crore ahead of Sankranti

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad City Police intensified the Chinese Manja crackdown ahead of Sankranti, seizing banned nylon kite string worth ₹1.24 crore and arresting 143 people across the city, Commissioner of Police V.C. Sajjanar said on Tuesday.

Addressing the media, Sajjanar said the government had imposed a complete ban on Chinese Manja due to the grave danger it posed to human life, birds, and the environment. However, he noted that illegal sales continued despite repeated warnings. Therefore, he announced zero tolerance against anyone involved in selling, storing, or transporting the banned material.

He said special enforcement teams were deployed across Hyderabad to prevent accidents during the festive season. According to the Commissioner, Sankranti celebrations should remain joyful and must not put lives at risk. As a result, police intensified checks at markets, godowns, and transport routes.

Sajjanar also warned that several traders had shifted to online platforms to evade action. Consequently, police placed e-commerce platforms and social media under round-the-clock surveillance. He said strict criminal cases would follow against those involved in online sale or purchase of Chinese Manja.

Zone-wise data highlights scale of Chinese Manja crackdown

Hyderabad: As part of the Chinese Manja crackdown, police registered 103 cases and arrested 143 persons during the special drive. Officers seized 6,226 bobbins of banned kite string with an estimated market value of ₹1,24,52,000.

The South West Zone reported the highest violations, with 34 cases and 46 arrests. Police seized 3,265 bobbins worth ₹65,30,000 in the zone. This was followed by the South Zone, where 27 cases were booked and 35 people arrested, leading to seizures worth ₹37,22,000.

In the East Zone, police registered 18 cases against 29 persons and seized Chinese Manja worth ₹6,02,000. The South East Zone reported nine cases and 10 arrests. Meanwhile, the Central, North, and West Zones recorded six, five, and four cases respectively.

The Commissioner’s Task Force played a major role in the drive. It accounted for 67 cases, 87 arrests, and seizures worth ₹68,78,000. Sajjanar congratulated the officers and staff involved in the operation and presented cash awards during the event.

He further cautioned parents about the dangers of metallic-coated Chinese Manja, which could cause deep cuts and even electric shocks, especially to children. Citizens were urged to use only traditional cotton strings and report violations by calling 100 or sending information via WhatsApp to 94906 16555.