Naib Subedar Lakhvinder Singh suffered a fatal neck injury while riding through Bishnah; police have opened an investigation
JAMMU:
A retired Army serviceman died after a banned synthetic kite string cut his throat while he was travelling on a two-wheeler along Jammu’s Ring Road, officials said on Monday.
Naib Subedar (Retired) Lakhvinder Singh encountered the kite string in the Bishnah area late on Sunday. He sustained critical injuries and was taken to hospital but could not be saved.
Police have registered a case and begun an investigation, according to reports citing officials. The inquiry will need to establish where the string originated, whether kite-flying activity in the area can be traced and whether prohibited material was being sold locally.
Products commonly described as “Chinese manjha” generally use synthetic or metal-coated material that is stronger and sharper than traditional cotton thread. Such strings can cause severe injuries to motorcyclists, pedestrians, birds and electricity workers.
The colloquial label does not establish the product’s country of manufacture. Enforcement should focus on the banned material, its sellers and its use rather than assumptions about origin.
The death raises renewed questions about compliance with restrictions on dangerous kite strings. A prohibition is effective only when accompanied by inspections of shops and online sellers, seizures, prosecution where warranted and public warnings during periods of intensive kite flying.
Authorities may also need to identify accident-prone stretches and consider temporary precautions for two-wheeler riders. The investigation’s findings and any enforcement action against suppliers remain awaited.
