Retired soldier killed by banned 'manja' on Jammu Ring Road; probe on
Jammu — A retired Army personnel, identified as Naib Subedar (Retd) Lakhvinder Singh, died after his throat was cut by a banned Chinese kite string while travelling on a two-wheeler along the Ring Road in the Bishnah area late on Sunday, officials said on Monday.
Singh, who had been working as a private security guard at an industrial unit in Bari Brahmana, was returning to his home in R S Pura when the incident occurred. He sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where he later succumbed to his wounds, the officials said.
- Victim: Naib Subedar (Retd) Lakhvinder Singh
- Location: Ring Road, Bishnah area, Jammu
- Circumstances: Throat cut after contact with banned Chinese kite string (commonly called 'manja')
The sale and use of the abrasive Chinese kite string, commonly referred to as 'manja', is prohibited by local authorities. Several shopkeepers have been arrested across Jammu in recent months for allegedly selling the material, officials said. Police have registered a case under the relevant provisions of law and launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for the incident, according to the report from PTI.
"The latest death has raised concerns over enforcement of the ban, with residents calling for strict action against those involved in the sale and use of the dangerous string," PTI reported.
Officials did not immediately provide further details on whether any arrests had been made in connection with Sunday night's incident. The police statement said the investigation is under way to establish how the prohibited string was being used and to trace its source.
Implications for public safety and enforcement
The incident has renewed debate over how effectively the ban on abrasive kite string is being enforced in Jammu. Authorities have periodically conducted raids and made arrests, but residents and community groups have repeatedly voiced concerns that enforcement is uneven, especially during kite-flying seasons when such strings are more often used.
Local safety advocates have pointed out the inherent dangers of manja, which can be made with glass-coated threads capable of inflicting deep lacerations on pedestrians, motorcyclists and animals. The tragic death of a retired serviceman commuting on a two-wheeler underlines the potential for severe, even fatal, consequences when such material is used in populated areas.
Official response and next steps
Police said they have registered an FIR and are conducting inquiries to identify and apprehend those responsible. The probe will look into the supply chain of the banned string, the point of sale and any persons who might have been involved in deploying it on the Ring Road stretch where the incident occurred, the PTI report added.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Naib Subedar (Retd) Lakhvinder Singh |
| Occupation | Private security guard (industrial unit, Bari Brahmana) |
| Incident location | Ring Road, Bishnah area, Jammu |
| Legal action | Case registered; investigation launched |
Residents, community leaders and traffic-safety groups are likely to press for intensified monitoring of kite-flying activity, stricter checks at retail outlets and prompt action against sellers of banned string. The police investigation's findings will be closely watched for any measures proposed to curb the continued use and sale of dangerous kite material in the city.
The incident adds to a series of enforcement actions in recent months in Jammu, where authorities say several shopkeepers have been arrested for allegedly selling the prohibited material. Officials have not yet provided timelines for anticipated outcomes of the current probe.
Further updates may follow as police conclude inquiries and take action in accordance with the law, the PTI report said.
