Hyderabad Police warn kite sellers against purchasing Chinese manja

Kite and manja sellers in Hyderabad have been warned against even placing advance orders or making payments for Chinese manja, with police seeking to choke its supply before demand for the prohibited synthetic string picks up during winter before Sankranti.

The Golconda Zone police held a meeting with kite shop owners and sellers at the Nampally Exhibition Grounds, cautioning them against purchasing, booking, stocking, transporting, distributing or selling Chinese manja.

“Shop owners should not make advance payments or enter into arrangements for purchasing Chinese manja. Once they procure or stock it in advance, there is a possibility that they may later attempt to sell it to recover their investment,” Golconda Zone DCP J. Raghavender Reddy said.

The DCP made it clear that money already spent on procuring the prohibited string would not be accepted as a justification for subsequently selling it. Those found involved in its procurement, stocking, transportation, distribution or sale would face legal action, he warned.