Jammu: Expressing grave concern over the continued clandestine sale of the banned Gattu (synthetic/glass-coated) kite string and the series of fatal and life-threatening accidents linked to it, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has urged the District Magistrate, Jammu, and the civil administration to dismantle the entire illegal supply network and initiate stringent legal action against all those involved.
Earlier, Shiv Sena J&K President Manish Sahni visited senior journalist Uttam Sharma, who was seriously injured after being struck by the deadly string, enquired about his health, and wished him a speedy recovery.
Sahni said that over the past several years, the banned Gattu string has left numerous two-wheeler riders, pedestrians, and children critically injured across Jammu, while also causing the painful deaths of countless birds.
«”This is not merely a kite string—it is a deadly trap suspended in the sky,” Sahni said.»
The party demanded that kite flying be placed under a temporary complete ban across Jammu district until the illegal sale and circulation of the banned string is completely eradicated. It further called for the constitution of a joint special task force comprising the police, civil administration, and municipal authorities to identify and dismantle the entire network involved in the manufacture, supply, storage, and sale of the prohibited string.
Sahni asserted that laws lose their meaning if violators continue to operate with impunity.
«”The rule of law will be respected only when those who violate it face exemplary punishment. Accountability must extend not only to those trading in this deadly string but also to anyone providing them protection or allowing this illegal business to flourish,” he said.»
Shiv Sena appealed to the District Magistrate and the administration to treat the issue as a matter of public safety rather than a seasonal enforcement exercise, warning that unless the illegal trade is completely wiped out, more innocent citizens and countless birds will continue to become victims of this lethal menace. Vikas Bakshi (General Secretary), Sanjeev Kohli (Executive President), Sanjay Bhatt (General Secretary (Org.)) were present on this occasion.