Time to ground Kite-Flying

It is the time to decide that if killer Chinese string Gattu cannot be stopped as witnessed in the Jammu region, the authorities should mull on banning the kite flying. There is no doubt in the fact that flying kites is a joyful tradition but the authorities cannot allow this interesting activity to celebrate festivals to turn into a serious threat to human life and even to birds and bats.

It is unfortunate that reportedly another death caused by Chinese Manjha in Jammu outskirts has shown how dangerous this merciless string can be. An Ex-Serviceman’s throat was slit by the sharp Chinese kite string while he was travelling on a two-wheeler through the Bishnah area. He was rushed to a hospital with critical injuries but could not survive.

This tragedy has once again reminded us that the ban imposed on the Chinese string exists for a reason. It is a matter of grave concern that despite the ban on Gattu the string is claiming lives due to its razor edge sharpness. This year also the authorities have taken action under law against shopkeepers and other entities involved in selling or storing this Chinese Manjha but the dangerous string continues to find its way into the hands of kite flyers.

The question that now needs to be asked is simple. How many more lives must be lost before we accept that kite flying has turned risky for society? It is unacceptable that despite the ban, warnings and the so-called enforcement drives, the problems related to Gattu persist and the innocent people have to pay the heavy price like in the case of family of the deceased Ex-Serviceman, who lost his life because someone violated the ban just for fun of flying a kite with a string considered to be indomitable.

Motorcyclists, pedestrians, children, birds and animals are all at risk. It is important to take more stringent steps to stop this menace as simply imposing the ban is not bringing the desired results.

The administration should consider a complete ban on kite flying in areas where the deadly string continues to be used. A tradition cannot be allowed to become more important than human life.

Let the case from Bishnah should become the turning point to end this menace once and for all. The need of the hour is that the people sitting at the helm should come out with concrete measures to end this death cycle in Jammu region as flying kites is not objectionable but using ‘killer’ strings is and therefore it should be checked with utmost seriousness.