SRINAGAR: In a tragic incident that has sparked fresh concern over the continued use of banned kite-flying materials, a 37-year-old man died after his throat was slit by nylon thread, commonly known as “Chinese Manja”, on the Jammu-Akhnoor flyover in the Canal area.
The deceased has been identified as Sahil Kumar, son of Rajinder Prasad, a resident of Domana. According to police, the incident occurred when Sahil was riding his motorcycle along with his wife towards the Bus Stand area. A nylon string, dangling across the flyover, wrapped around his neck and caused a deep laceration that proved fatal.
Eyewitnesses reported that the victim lost control of his vehicle after the thread cut into his throat, collapsing in a pool of blood on the road. Passersby and traffic police rushed him to the Government Medical College Jammu, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
The body was shifted to the mortuary for post-mortem examination, and police said a case has been registered while an investigation is underway.
The synthetic thread, coated with glass particles, is known to cause fatal injuries to both humans and animals. Despite a clear ban under Section 144 of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Procedure Code, the deadly material continues to circulate in the region under various names such as “Chinese Manja” or “Gattu.”
Authorities have repeatedly warned that the thread poses a severe public safety risk, particularly to two-wheeler riders and birds. The District Magistrate of Jammu had earlier prohibited the manufacture, sale, and use of these items, but enforcement remains patchy.
Local residents and civil society groups have expressed outrage over the incident and demanded strict action against those selling the banned thread. “How many lives must be lost before there is real enforcement?” asked one resident at the site of the accident.
Sahil Kumar is survived by his wife, who was reportedly riding pillion at the time of the incident but escaped physical injury. The couple had been returning from a routine errand when their journey ended in horror.
As the investigation continues, police have urged the public to report any instances of the sale or use of the banned thread and assured that action will be taken against violators. -(KL)
