Mumbai: Why manja deaths are difficult to solve

Investigations into incidents involving Chinese or glass-coated manja consistently reach a standstill, as law enforcement officers struggle to find evidence to identify the individual flying the kite, a police source revealed. As a result, it becomes extremely difficult to identify the person whose kite manja caused harm. Authorities say the situation only gets worse during Makar Sankranti when scores of people simultaneously engage in kite flying, making it impossible to identify the culprit.

When there are fatal incidents due to sharp manja being used for kite flying, the police register cases under Sections 304A (causing death by negligence) and 188 (disobeying an order promulgated by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The majority of these cases occur during festivals like Makar Sankranti, when kite flying is a tradition, and also during vacations when many school and college students engage in kite flying. "Identifying or tracing a person becomes challenging when multiple individuals are flying kites simultaneously," a police officer said.

Kids flying kites at Kherwadi along the Western Express Highway

Meanwhile, the grieving families and victims await justice, urging the police to dismantle the Chinese and nylon manja racket before Makar Sankranti. In January, Dishant Tiwari, 8, lost his life when a sharp manja got tangled around his neck as he enjoyed the view from the sunroof of his father's car on the way to a resort in Manor. Expressing his anguish, Dishant's father Prasad said, "I haven't received justice for my son. The police failed to identify the culprit responsible for my son's death and closed the case. Without action, I fear there will be similar incidents in the future. The police must crack down on this Chinese and nylon manja racket before Sankranti." Following the incident, Dishant was rushed to hospital but couldn't be saved.

According to the police officer, bikers and cyclists are at maximum risk but there have also been incidents of pedestrians getting severely injured due to sharp manja. "The sharpness is attributed to the nylon composition with glass coating, while some manja are cotton-based but also incorporate a glass coating for added sharpness," he explained.

He further stated that seizing the specific manja responsible for the incident is challenging. "Sometimes, kite flyers are unaware that their manja has caused injuries, and victims may inadvertently break and discard the manja at the place of the incident. Despite obtaining CCTV footage of individuals flying kites, tracing the person responsible becomes difficult, particularly in areas like highway bridges where incidents occur often," he said.

A victim, Sandeep Singh from Samta Nagar shared his harrowing experience. "I was involved in an accident in January 2017 during the Makar Sankranti festival. A kite manja got tangled around my neck as I was heading home. I, too, have not received justice. The person responsible for the incident remains untraceable and the police have closed my case.

Sandeep Singh was seriously injured during Makar Sankranti in January 2017

I am still waiting for justice but have little hope now." Following the incident, Singh received around 25 stitches on his neck. He had become unconscious due to significant blood loss and doctors had to perform a 7-8-hour-long surgery on his neck. "Upon regaining consciousness, I received a CD recording of my surgery from the doctors. Watching this CD brings back painful memories. While it may be impossible to apprehend the individual responsible for my incident, the police can take action against the use of Chinese and nylon manja before Makar Sankranti," he told mid-day. The police officer told mid-day, "We interrogate numerous individuals based on circumstantial evidence, but without a witness, it becomes challenging to establish a strong case before the court of law, especially if the person is arrested solely on circumstantial evidence."

A senior officer said the Mumbai police have issued multiple guidelines and are enforcing the Supreme Court's order banning nylon Chinese manja, which has led to fatalities. "People must be aware that flying kites with nylon Chinese manja or any glass-coated manja is prohibited as it poses a danger to others. People must comply with the law. In the last two days, we've intensified our efforts, resulting in the arrest of five individuals for using nylon manja. We have registered 19 cases across different police stations," said Satya Narayan Chaudhary, joint commissioner of police, law and order.

Chaudhary added that during these intensified efforts, the police seized manja worth Rs 44,450 and imposed fines amounting to R14,440 in total. Offenders were charged under section 113 of the Bombay Police Act, which prohibits flying kites. "We are also engaging with social activists and shopkeepers to ensure that any type of manja posing a danger to public life and birds is not sold in the area," he said. Meanwhile, the family of Police Constable Sameer Jadhav, who lost his life on the Vakola bridge on December 24 after a sharp manja slit his throat, is still awaiting answers as the police remain baffled and unable to trace those responsible for his death.

Expressing frustration, one of Jadhav's relatives said, "We are still in the dark about who was flying that kite and responsible for his death. We seek justice. Jadhav was like a brother to me. We want the accused behind bars... justice must prevail. We also demand that the police crack down on the Chinese and nylon manja racket, holding all the accused accountable."

Rs 14,440
Total fines collected by police during special drive

19
No of cases registered during police action