Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed that deaths caused by “Chinese manja” (razor-sharp kite strings) be treated as murder. He also ordered the strictest possible action against those found guilty. The directive comes after a motorcyclist died in Lucknow allegedly after his throat was slit by a kite string, and follows a rise in similar incidents across the state capital.

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a post on X that Adityanath has “taken serious note of fatalities linked to Chinese manja” and instructed authorities to act against its manufacture, sale, and use. “Taking cognisance of accidents caused by Chinese manja, the chief minister has directed strict enforcement against it and ordered a statewide campaign along with a high-level review. The deaths due to this should be treated under the category of murder,” the post added according to PTI.