UP becomes first state in India to treat deaths from Chinese manja as murder

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed that deaths caused by Chinese manja (razor-sharp kite strings coated with glass or metal) be treated as murder for enforcement purposes , making Uttar Pradesh the first state in India to create a separate administrative focus on such incidents. He also ordered the strictest action against anyone involved in the manufacture, sale, or use of the dangerous strings. The directive comes amid a series of fatal accidents, highlighting the ongoing threat despite bans on Chinese manja. In a post on X , the Chief Minister’s Office said Adityanath had taken serious note of these fatalities and instructed authorities to launch a statewide campaign and a high-level review , emphasizing that the safety of public life is the government’s top priority.

The latest tragedy occurred on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 , when 34-year-old Syed Shoaib , a medical representative from Sitee Bihar, was riding his motorcycle on the Haiderganj overbridge in Lucknow’s Bazarkhala area. A kite string hanging across the road became entangled around his neck, causing a deep laceration that severed a major vein. As he struggled, his motorcycle overturned. Bystanders rushed him to a trauma centre, but he was declared dead due to excessive blood loss .

Other fatal incidents in Uttar Pradesh include a 21-year-old man in Meerut who died on January 7, 2025 , and a physiotherapist in Jaunpur, Mohammad Shamir, who died in mid-January 2026 , both after their throats were cut by banned kite strings. Reports also indicate that monthly accidents, including serious injuries, occur across districts , showing the menace is persistent despite legal prohibitions.

While the CM’s directive is unprecedented, it is an administrative and enforcement measure rather than a new law . In practice, it may seem impractical or almost unbelievable , because it is often impossible to identify whose kite or string caused a specific death. Officials have clarified that the move is aimed at enforcing a strict ban on Chinese manja and discouraging its use altogether. Police are instructed to register cases under existing IPC provisions , including Section 302 (murder) or Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) , wherever legally justifiable.

Uttar Pradesh’s approach differs from other states. Telangana , for example, banned Chinese manja in 2016 under the Environment (Protection) Act and enforces arrests, seizures, and awareness campaigns. Despite that, fatalities have still occurred, such as the death of a five-year-old girl in Hyderabad in January 2026 and a 38-year-old man in Sangareddy , showing the ongoing risk. Uttar Pradesh’s new directive, by contrast, creates a first-of-its-kind administrative category to signal zero tolerance and strengthen deterrence.

The danger of Chinese manja extends beyond humans. Wildlife groups report hundreds of birds injured or killed after becoming entangled in discarded strings. Authorities also highlight challenges in enforcement due to clandestine manufacture and distribution channels. With multiple deaths in recent months, including those in Lucknow, Meerut, and Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh officials hope that this strict administrative measure, combined with public awareness campaigns and aggressive enforcement, will prevent further tragedies and protect lives across the state.