Cuttack, Dec 31: In a shocking incident in the Brahmapur Shriram area of Bayalish Mouza, two individuals sustained serious injuries after being struck by China-made plastic kite strings, commonly known as “manja.”

According to reports, Devi Kalyan Acharya and Asalata Acharya were riding a bike around 10 AM when the kite string suddenly cut across, causing deep injuries and heavy bleeding. Local residents rushed them to a nearby medical facility for treatment.

In a related incident, a youth identified as Aniket Das sustained grievous injuries to his neck, hand, and thumb after getting trapped in the banned kite string while returning home from Trisulia to Cuttack. Authorities have confirmed that strict action will be taken against those found selling or using Chinese manja.

The use of such dangerous kite strings continues unabated in the city despite a 2016 directive from the Orissa High Court. Following the directive, the district administration had imposed restrictions on the sale and use of hazardous kite strings and designated at least 10 safe zones for kite flying.

However, locals continue to fly kites on rooftops, roads, and other public areas. Manja threads are often found dangling from trees, poles, signboards, rooftops, and boundary walls, posing a serious threat to public safety.

Chinese manja is considered deadly due to its hazardous composition, which has caused injuries and fatalities during kite flying. Odisha has witnessed several tragic incidents over the years, including:

In 2021, a youth in Cuttack died after being struck by a manja thread while riding a bike with his wife.

Another person lost his life after getting entangled in a kite string that cut his throat.

In 2024, a law student and two others were injured in Bhubaneswar after similar incidents.

Authorities have issued repeated warnings and are on high alert as the kite-flying season approaches, urging the public to avoid banned Chinese manja to prevent further accidents.