Sanjukumar Gundappa Hosamani | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A 48-year-old man was killed on Wednesday in Talmadgi village of Chitaguppa taluk in Bidar district after his throat was cut by a kite string (manja) while he was riding a motorcycle.
The Chinese manja (glass-coated string) for flying kites is banned but continues to be used.
The deceased has been identified as Sanjukumar Gundappa Hosamani. He is survived by his wife, son and three daughters.
According to the police and eyewitnesses, the incident took place near Talmadgi bridge when Hosamani was riding a motorcycle to Humnabad town to fetch his daughter, who is studying in a boarding school during the Sankranti vacation.
The manja got tangled around his neck and caused a deep cut that led to profuse bleeding. He reportedly fell off his bike and collapsed on the spot, succumbing to his injuries before help could arrive.
Eyewitnesses said that the kite’s sharp string caused him to bleed heavily, leaving him with no chance of survival.
Kite flying is common during the Sankranti festival in Humnabad and Chitaguppa areas, where manja is widely used, especially for competitive kite flying.
Following the incident, District Minister Eshwar B. Khandre directed the district administration and the Superintendent of Police to identify those responsible for the incident and take action as per law. He also instructed the officials to ensure that no shop in the district sells the banned Chinese Manchu and to create public awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The minister also asked officials to immediately send information messages through social media and mobile alerts to residents across the district.
He advised two-wheeler riders to take precautions, including covering their necks with a cloth while riding, especially during the Sankranti festival season when flying kites is common.
After the fatal incident, Deputy Commissioner Shilpa Sharma issued an official order banning the use of manja in the district.
The district administration noted that the use of manja poses a serious risk to humans, birds and animals and also causes damage to the environment. While flying kites is permitted using ordinary cotton thread, the use of manja is strictly prohibited.
The ban is in line with the guidelines issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which banned the manufacture, storage, sale and use of such hazardous strings.
Officials warned that violators would face legal action under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, the Wildlife Protection Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act.
Published – 14 Jan 2026 21:41 IST
