The Hyderabad Police on Saturday conducted simultaneous raids and arrested two people for illegally procuring, stocking and selling 'Chinese manja', which has been banned by the government. The raid was conducted by sleuths of the Commissioner’s Task Force, North Zone Team in the limits of Chilkalguda, Secunderabad.
The accused were identified as Rachakatla Saranga pani and Dharmaiah, both kite shop owners. The police said that the accused violated the orders of Environment, Forests, Science and Technology Department, Telangana. The investigation officials added that they seized synthetic glass coated Chinese manja worth Rs 10 lakh.
"Their incomes were not sufficient and so, the accused hatched a plan to sell the banned 'Chinese Dors/Manja' which is in very high demand during the Sankranti festival to gain easy profits illegally. The accused persons have known that illegal procuring, stocking, sale and use of nylon thread which is commonly called as ‘Chinese Dor’ or other synthetic threads coated with glass used for kite flying are likely to cause grievous injury and inconvenience to animals including birds," the police said in a press release.
"The Telangana State Government under Section 5 of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 hereby imposes a complete ban on procuring, stocking, sale and use of nylon thread, which is commonly called as 'Chinese Dor', or other synthetic (non- biodegradable) threads coated with glass used for kite flying," the release added.
A case was booked under relevant sections of The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Sections 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) and 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC. The accused were handed to the Chilkalguda Police Station for further action.
In another related incident, the Central Zone Team of the Commissioner’s Task Force conducted a raid in Musheerabad and apprehended two people for the illegal sale of Chinese Manja and seized material worth Rs 1 lakh.
Over the years, kite flying using Chinese manja (synthetic thread coated with finely crushed glass) has become popular, but it causes harm to human beings and birds. The manja is banned in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has informed all the states and Union Territories about the threat posed to birds like vultures, kites, owls, pigeons, crows due to use of 'Chinese Dor' and requested them to take appropriate action.