It’s not a kite! Launching a massive campaign to verify the use of Chinese gold, the Jalandhar police have made it clear to their vendors that trading can result in jail time and a penalty of Rs one lakh or both.

Notwithstanding the strict laws in place prohibiting the use or sale of Chinese dor (kite string), this unbreakable, non-degradable nylon kite string is made available to kite enthusiasts. Jalandhar Police launched the campaign following the ensuing Basant Panchmi festival, which falls on February 5 this year, when people engage in large-scale kite flying.

“A special campaign has been launched by Jalandhar police to confiscate the Chinese cord and bring strict legal action against the sellers of this banned material. Already four such cases have been registered against the unscrupulous sellers under the strict provisions of the law,” said Suhail Mir, ADCP-1 of Jalandhar Police Station.

Mir, a young IPS officer known for changing the face of Chatiwind Police Station, said the ride will continue to protect people from unwarranted accidents caused by this deadly Chinese kite wire. “We kindly ask people to cooperate with the police and not buy this Chinese cord. Simultaneously, we also warn traders not to sell the Chinese cord, otherwise they have to face the music,” he added. During the Basant Panchami festival, celebrated in Punjab with fervor and enthusiasm, the sale of this Chinese thread, coated with glass or abrasives, is gaining momentum. It is also made available under the counters of some traders as kite competition is fierce during the festivities, he added.

Mir said Chinese kite strings are made of nylon or synthetic thread treated with glass and metal to make it sharper. “It’s covered in tiny pieces of glass that often cause life-threatening cuts. These cords are not only dangerous for humans but also for birds. There are many cases where birds have become entangled in these Chinese ropes… Unlike cotton thread, it does not break on impact but cuts the skin,” he added.

“Chinese strings are also heavy conductors of electricity, and in some places electricity providers have experienced outages due to this dangerous kite string. In Delhi and the NCR, the Court of Justice n allowed the use of only cotton yarn or any natural fiber free of metal or glass components.In Punjab, Chinese cord is also prohibited and any violation will result in imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs a lakh or both,” the officer said, while asking locals to engage in kite flying responsibly.

Jalandhar Police also advised residents not to fly kites near electrical installations, including overhead wires.

Last December, a two-wheeler driver in Amritsar suffered a deep cut to his left cheek and jaw. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors attempted to stitch up his wound. The gruesome images of the victim have gone viral on social media, creating panic among people. That was not all! Several birds, including owls, pigeons and eagles, have also become entangled in these Chinese ropes in the past. An animal welfare organization claimed that hundreds of pigeons die each year from killer twine.

The government of Punjab on December 18, 2017 had imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, production, storage, supply and use of kite line made of nylon, plastic or made of any other synthetic material, including the popularly known ‘Chinese Manjha’ in the state.