The unsafe synthetic threads are sold for ₹80 to ₹300 per roll. Traders reported that customers specifically requested the banned manjha instead of the traditional cotton thread used for flying kites. | Photo credit: Representative image
Despite the ban and strict guidelines from the Visakhapatnam police regarding manjha/Chinese manjha, the sharpened thread used to fly kites continues to be openly sold in shops and temporary stalls across the city ahead of the Sankranti festival. This raised serious public safety and enforcement concerns.
In MVP Colony, Akkayyapalem, One Town, Allipuram, Kancharapalem and Old Gajuwaka, many traders were found selling the banned manjha openly. The unsafe synthetic threads are sold for ₹80 to ₹300 per roll. Traders reported that customers specifically requested the banned manjha instead of the traditional cotton thread used for flying kites. Some traders claimed that the material was part of old stock, while others admitted that they sourced manjha from neighboring Telangana.
Flying kites is a popular tradition during Sankranti celebrations and areas like the Beach Road stretch are full of people flying kites during Bhogi, Sankranti and Kanuma.
In the past, the city has witnessed several unpleasant incidents involving the use of Chinese manjha. A number of motorcyclists, including children, suffered severe injuries after being cut by a sharp thread while riding two-wheelers.
Police Commissioner Shankabratha Bagchi has warned that the Chinese manjha poses a serious threat to public safety and the environment. Many birds get trapped in the manjha and die, he said. The commissioner warned that if the thread comes in contact with a power line, it can lead to electric shock, fire and even loss of life.
Raids
Meanwhile, the City Task Force (CTF) supported by city police teams conducted special raids across the city on Tuesday (January 13) and seized around 650 rolls of banned manjha. A large number of manjha rolls were seized in city limits of II, IV, Kancharapalem, airport, MVP, Pendurthi and several other police stations. In connection with the seizures, cases were registered against 11 persons.
Published – 14 Jan 2026 21:50 IST
