Karnataka Police Intensify Crackdown on Banned Kite String After Womans Death
Following a tragic incident, Karnataka police are stepping up efforts against the sale of banned kite string in Hubli-Dharwad.
Hubli-Dharwad, October 23 (Daily Kiran) : In a decisive move, Karnataka police have intensified their crackdown on the sale and use of banned kite string in the Hubli-Dharwad region. This action comes after the tragic death of a 38-year-old woman on Karwar Road, prompting authorities to take immediate steps.
Police have conducted raids on shops and warehouses, seizing stocks of the dangerous string and warning vendors against selling the prohibited material. The victim, Vidya Manjunath Gaudar, a lab technician, was fatally injured when kite string became entangled around her neck while she was walking near Shivshankar Colony.
Superintendent of Police Bhushan Borase stated that the police had previously run awareness campaigns about the dangers of kite string, but many people did not heed these warnings. The recent incident, resulting in a loss of life, has led to increased enforcement measures.
Borase announced that police have taken two immediate actions. Officers have been instructed to file cases wherever kite string is sold. So far, 12 criminal cases have been registered, and a significant amount of string has been confiscated.
He noted that kite strings often get caught on electric poles and trees, posing a serious risk to pedestrians, especially motorcyclists and cyclists. In response, the police have written to the municipal commissioner, requesting assistance from civil administration, sanitation workers, and Hubli Electricity Supply Company employees to remove these hazardous strings.
Borase emphasized that a special campaign would be conducted over the next week to eliminate any kite strings found hanging in public spaces, thereby reducing risks for road users. He urged the public to report any dangerous kite strings or illegal kite flying to the police via the 112 emergency helpline, assuring that such complaints would be addressed promptly.
Concerns regarding the ongoing sale and use of this banned material continue to grow. Meanwhile, the police commissioner of Belagavi, K. Ramrajan, has also prohibited merchants from selling kite string and urged the community to refrain from using it for kite flying.
This tragic incident follows the death of a 19-year-old student, Dhruv Santosh Karjagi, in Belagavi on October 1, who suffered a similar fate when kite string struck his neck while he was riding a motorcycle.
