Despite ban, hazardous Chinese manjha sold openly in Gurugram mkts

The use of Chinese manjha is prohibited under various environmental and public safety laws

Updated on: Jul 30, 2025, 10:27:31 IST

By Leena Dhankhar

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Despite a government ban on the manufacture, storage, and sale of Chinese string (manjha) — synthetic, glass-coated kite-flying string—its illegal trade continues unabated in various parts of Gurugram, activists alleged. The dangerous string, made from non-biodegradable materials and coated with powdered glass or metal, is being openly sold in areas such as Sadar Bazar and Patel Road, putting lives at risk, they added.

Posing serious threat to health, doctors at Civil Hospital Gurugram warned that manjha-related injuries are serious and often life-threatening. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

The use of Chinese manjha is prohibited under various environmental and public safety laws, however enforcement on the ground remains weak, particularly around Independence Day, when the demand surges, activists claimed. Some reels are being sold for ₹300 or more, with traders continuing to procure stock from neighbouring cities like Delhi and Jaipur.

Police confirmed that action is being taken. “We arrested four people last month for selling banned manjha. Public awareness posters have been put up across market areas, and citizens are being encouraged to report any illegal sales,” said a Gurugram police spokesperson.

Assistant commissioner of police (Sohna) Jitender, who also holds additional charge of Badshahpur, said that special joint teams with the civil administration have been formed to monitor markets. “All police stations have been instructed to maintain strict surveillance, especially during peak kite-flying seasons. Though no new consignments have been caught recently, the demand indicates that illegal sale is likely,” he said.

ACP (City) Vishnu Prasad and ACP (Old Gurugram) Manjeet also confirmed that enforcement drives are underway. “We’ve received clear instructions to crack down on shops selling Chinese manjha. Shopkeepers are being warned, and awareness drives are underway to prevent further violations,” they said.

Posing serious threat to health, doctors at Civil Hospital Gurugram warned that manjha-related injuries are serious and often life-threatening. “The cuts can be deep and dangerously placed, especially for bikers and pedestrians. Victims often come in with slashed throats or limbs,” said a senior doctor, adding that full-face helmets and extra caution are essential.

Animal welfare organisations have also voiced serious concerns. “Birds suffer immensely during this season. The manjha gets entangled around their wings or necks, causing slow and painful deaths. This is not just illegal—it’s inhumane,” said an activist.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leena Dhankhar
Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More

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