BAREILLY, Uttar Pradesh: A 15-year-old nephew of Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Sugarcane Development and Sugar Mills, Sanjay Gangwar, sustained critical injuries after his neck was slashed by a banned Chinese manjha while riding a scooter on the Shyamganj flyover in Bareilly on Monday.
The victim, identified as Adityaveer Singh Gangwar, a Class 8 student, was on his way to a stadium with a friend when the incident occurred. The nylon string, coated with powdered glass, became entangled around his neck, causing severe cuts and leading him to lose control of the scooter. He was immediately rushed to a private hospital, where he is undergoing treatment and is reported to be in critical but stable condition.
The incident has reignited concerns over the continued availability and use of Chinese manjha despite a nationwide ban. Minister Sanjay Gangwar, upon visiting his injured nephew at the hospital, expressed deep concern and questioned the effectiveness of the enforcement measures against the sale and distribution of the banned kite string.
Doctors at the Eshan Hospital stated that Adityaveer suffered injuries to his neck, upper lip, cheek, and ear, with a finger also being injured. He underwent emergency surgery and is expected to require several weeks for a full recovery.
Following the incident, the Superintendent of Police (City) in Bareilly, Manush Pareek, announced that the police would launch a fresh drive to curb the sale of nylon-based Chinese manjha and identify its supply channels. He added that previous drives had resulted in the registration of 14 First Information Reports (FIRs).
This incident underscores the persistent danger posed by Chinese manjha, which is known for its sharpness and durability due to its nylon composition mixed with metallic and glass powder. Traditional Indian kite strings are typically made of cotton thread.
In February 2026, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had ordered a complete ban on Chinese manjha and directed that any death caused by it be treated as murder. He had also instructed senior police officials to conduct intensive investigations and statewide raids to halt its illegal sale, questioning its continued availability despite existing bans from the Supreme Court and High Court. These directives came in the wake of several fatal accidents caused by the dangerous string across the state.
The state government has been actively working to enact stricter laws, with proposals for legislation like the ‘Uttar Pradesh Deadly Manjha (Manufacturing, Sale and Use Prohibition) Act’ being considered. The Allahabad High Court has also taken a strict stance, emphasizing the need for visible action on the ground beyond mere directives and paperwork, and has scheduled further hearings on the matter.
Despite these measures, the continued circulation of Chinese manjha highlights challenges in enforcement. Incidents of injuries, particularly to two-wheeler riders and pedestrians, have been reported in various parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow and Bareilly. Authorities have previously conducted raids, arrested traders, and seized considerable quantities of the banned string.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had also ordered a complete ban on nylon or any synthetic material manjha in 2017, classifying it as non-biodegradable and hazardous. However, environmentalists and concerned citizens continue to call for stricter implementation and public awareness campaigns to truly curb the menace, which poses a threat not only to human life but also to birds and the environment.
The Chenab Times News Desk