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Killer Strings: Banned Chinese Kite Strings Continue to Claim Lives in India

© AFP 2023 / DIPTENDU DUTTAAn enthusiast flies multiple kites during a kite-flying festival in Siliguri. (File)
An enthusiast flies multiple kites during a kite-flying festival in Siliguri. (File) - Sputnik International
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Despite a ban already in place, the lack of effective implementation is causing rising demand and supply of China-made glass/metal laced kite strings in India. Two toddlers and a youth died in Delhi in a single day as their throats were slit by the killer strings.

Kite flying is a favorite sport among Indian youths, especially during festivals. However, this traditional sport is fast turning into a menace with many people being killed by kite strings. A Chinese import, sturdy kite strings laced with powdered glass or metal have gained a strong footing in the Indian market as they are a cheap and highly efficient prop in the sport that involves bringing down kites of competitors by slitting each other’s kite strings.

On August 15, India's Independence Day, in the capital Delhi, two toddlers and a man were killed in separate incidents involving kite strings. According to family members of four-year-old Harry, he was enjoying the pleasant weather, peeping out of his family car's sunroof when a kite string slit his throat, causing profuse bleeding and instant death. In a repeat of the exact scene, but in a different location in Delhi, three-year-old Sanchi lost her life.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Zafar Khan was found dead with his throat slit with a kite string. According to police, he was probably riding his motorbike when the fatal accident happened.

Manoj Kumar, sub-inspector of Delhi police said he had a narrow escape in a similar incident. Over a dozen other persons were injured by kite strings, but had luck on their side.

One of the injured, Ishteyaq, says, “There are competitions among kite flyers to cut the string of others flyers. For this, China-made string is perfect because these strings are cheaper and very strong. Indian made strings is available in USD 5-6 while China made strings is available in below USD 2.”

​Traders say glass laced or metal coated kite strings almost 6 years ago. Despite the recent ban, shopkeepers continue to sell this product as they are highly in demand. Indian manufacturers are replicating the Chinese techniques, therefore, the ban on imported strings is not going to resolve the problem.

Prime Minister Modi himself is fond of kite flying. During his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat, he promoted kite flying a lot.

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