Belagavi police tighten warning on dangerous kite string after death
Belagavi police have urged residents not to use or sell manja during Dasara after a 19-year-old motorcyclist died when a kite string cut his neck. Authorities said the prohibited string posed risks to motorists, pedestrians and birds and announced monitoring of shops during the festival period.
Police in Belagavi have appealed to residents to avoid dangerous kite strings, including manja, after a 19-year-old man died when a kite string cut his neck while he was riding a motorcycle. The incident occurred on October 1 as Dhruva Santosh Karjagi travelled from the city centre towards his home in Mahantesh Nagar. The string became entangled around his neck while he was crossing the National Highway bridge in the Gandhi Nagar area.
The string caused a deep cut and severe bleeding. Karjagi fell from the motorcycle and died at the scene. A case has been registered at the Belagavi North Traffic Police Station.
Superintendent of Police K. Ramrajan said the death was a serious reminder of the risks posed by manja, particularly during the Dasara period when kite-flying increases. He urged people not to allow festive activities to endanger others.
Ramrajan said the sale and use of manja had already been prohibited. Police would monitor shops and other outlets during the festival season, he said, adding that legal action would be taken against traders found selling the string. “Traders should not sell manja and the public should not purchase it,” Ramrajan said.
He urged kite flyers to exercise caution and to give priority to safety. Belagavi City Corporation Mayor Preeti Kamkar expressed grief over Karjagi’s death and said the civic body would take steps to prevent manja sales within its jurisdiction. She said she would instruct the municipal commissioner to inspect shops and that the matter would be discussed at a corporation council meeting.
The police and civic authorities warned that hazardous kite strings could injure pedestrians, motorists, two-wheeler riders and birds. Their appeal came as residents prepared for festival-related kite-flying activities. The authorities’ response combines enforcement against the prohibited product with a request that residents avoid strings capable of causing injury.
The police did not provide details of any arrests or seizures in connection with the incident or the reported sale of manja.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.