The district police have started a crackdown on sellers of China-made kite string.
Also, Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna has taken up the matter with the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC).
Following the reports of throat and hand slitting by the imported
string, Khanna took up the matter with the rights body, demanding strict directions to the state to ban its sale and use.
District magistrate (DM) Mansavi Kumar had recently issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 but the same were not being complied with.
On Tuesday, the police swung into action and raided three premises in Tagore Park area, Gowshala Bazaar and Jassa Singh Ramgarhia Chowk, and seized a huge quantity of synthetic string.
The proceedings under section 188 were initiated against the stockists. The DM has asked all sub-divisional magistrates to ensure that the synthetic string is not sold anywhere in their jurisdiction.
“Every year we come across many instances of the China dor putting many lives at risk. Its use must be stopped completely. Parents should also tell their children not to use the deadly string,” said Khanna.
Ashok Kumar, a local resident, however, asked as to why the string's import was not being banned. “If the supply discontinues, its demand will automatically stop,” he reasoned.