At least two people have been killed in India in recent days after their throats were slashed by kite strings, as the country's popular kite-flying season turns deadly. The separate incidents in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh have sparked protests and renewed calls for a crackdown on banned materials.
Fatal Incidents Across Two States
In the latest tragedy, 48-year-old motorcyclist Sanjukumar Hosamani died in the southern state of Karnataka. He was riding near the Talamadagi Bridge in Bidar district when he rode into a taut kite string stretched across the road.
The string caused a deep cut to his neck, leading to severe bleeding. Hosamani collapsed from his bike but managed to dial his daughter's number before losing consciousness. Despite a passerby's attempts to help and a call for an ambulance, he was pronounced dead by the time it arrived. His relatives have accused authorities of a fatal delay in the emergency response.
The second fatality occurred in Indore, where 45-year-old tile contractor Raghuveer Dhakad died after a kite string slit his throat while he was returning home from work. He was rushed to hospital but could not be saved. Police confirmed the injury was caused by a banned nylon kite string.
A Wave of Serious Injuries
These deaths are not isolated. Several serious, non-fatal injuries have been reported in recent days, underscoring the widespread danger.
- In Indore, 18-year-old Narendra Jamod suffered a severe neck injury on Sapna-Sangeeta Road and required emergency surgery.
- Also near Indore Airport, Ashish Raghuvanshi sustained a deep neck cut and remains in hospital.
- In Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, a nine-year-old boy needed 43 stitches after a kite string caused a serious ear injury while he played outside.
- In Ujjain, a student returning from an exam had his throat cut, requiring 10 stitches.
- Another young motorcyclist was injured when a string wrapped around his neck.
Relatives and local residents in both Karnataka and Indore have staged protests, demanding action over the incidents and improvements to emergency services.
Why Are Kite Strings So Lethal?
Flying kites is a common tradition during festivals like Makar Sankranti and Uttarayan in many parts of India. The activity often involves 'kite-fighting,' where participants try to cut down each other's kites using reinforced strings.
This is where the danger lies. The cords, known as 'manjha,' are often coated with metal or glass powder to make them sharp enough to cut through other strings. This also makes them capable of slicing through human skin and even electric wires.
In recent years, traditional cotton strings have been increasingly replaced by stronger, sharper nylon strings – often called 'Chinese manjha.' Due to the severe injuries they cause, these nylon strings are banned in several Indian states, but enforcement remains a challenge.
The deadly trend is not new. In 2023, six people, including three children, died after their throats were sliced open by kite strings during the Uttarayan festival in Gujarat. A further 200 people were injured. In 2016, two children were killed in similar circumstances in Gujarat.
As the kite-flying season continues, these latest fatalities serve as a grim reminder of the lethal consequences when festive fun is intertwined with dangerous, illegal materials.
