Police blend humour with caution as enforcement steps up
Delhi Police has adopted a notably informal social media tone to warn residents against the use of banned synthetic or plastic‑coated kite strings often described as Chinese manjha, even as enforcement agencies stepped up seizures of the dangerous product across the capital.
In a post that borrowed from a popular Gen‑Z meme the force wrote:
“Dear Kuchu Puchu, Patang Udao but Say NO to Chinese Manjha, Samjhe?”The light‑hearted phrasing accompanies standard safety advice, emphasising that people may continue to fly kites but must avoid banned abrasive strings that can cause severe injury and death.
Officials said the message comes after several recent enforcement drives. The Crime Branch reported seizing more than 1,300 rolls of Chinese manjha during an operation. In a separate action, Central Delhi Police recovered around 120 rolls, according to official accounts shared with the media.
The police underlined the public‑safety rationale for the campaign. Chinese manjha is typically manufactured from synthetic or plastic material and often coated with abrasive substances, making it markedly sharper than traditional cotton thread. The string can cause deep lacerations to riders and pedestrians and is especially hazardous to birds, which may become entangled mid‑flight.
Delhi has already witnessed fatal and serious incidents linked to such strings. In one recent case a 32‑year‑old man travelling to Mundka suffered a neck cut after coming into contact with Chinese manjha in Uttam Nagar, southwest Delhi. Separately, the police recalled a 2023 incident in west Delhi’s Paschim Vihar when a seven‑year‑old girl died after being injured by synthetic kite string while travelling with her father on a scooter.
| Action/Incident | Number/Detail |
|---|---|
| Crime Branch seizure | More than 1,300 rolls |
| Central Delhi recovery | About 120 rolls |
| Recent serious injury | 32‑year‑old man cut in Uttam Nagar |
| Notable past death | Seven‑year‑old girl killed in Paschim Vihar (2023) |
Mixing outreach and enforcement
The police post generated mixed reactions online. Several users welcomed the updated communication style, commenting that the force was “updating” and operating in “Gen‑Z mode”, while others mocked the adoption of internet slang. Regardless of the tone, the underlying advisory is conventional: avoid banned synthetic strings and report shops or sellers of the material to authorities.
- Authorities stress that Chinese manjha is often coated with abrasive substances and can cause deep cuts and fatal injuries.
- Birds are particularly vulnerable as they can get entangled and perish while flying.
- Residents are asked to flag sellers and stocks of banned manjha to the police to aid enforcement.
The campaign illustrates a wider shift in how law‑enforcement agencies communicate safety information, increasingly favouring social‑media friendly presentation to reach younger audiences. Delhi Police combined that approach with ongoing ground action, as evidenced by the recent seizures.
Officials reiterated that kite flying remains a permissible and cherished pastime in the capital, provided residents use safe, legal thread and take appropriate precautions near roads and thoroughfares. They said any information about the sale or distribution of banned manjha should be forwarded to local police stations or the Crime Branch tip lines for prompt action.
As kite seasons approach, the police appeal is simple: enjoy the festival and tradition, but not at the cost of public safety.
