Pune Police Seize 50 Bundles of Nylon Manja, Intensify Efforts to Combat Illegal Sale
Pune, 7th January 2025: In a crackdown on the illegal sale of nylon manja, the Pune Police seized 50 bundles worth ₹10,000 from a shop in Upper Indiranagar and two bundles valued at ₹1,600 from a store in Dhanori in separate raids carried out by Bibvewadi and Vishrantwadi police on Sunday. The sale and manufacture of nylon manja have been prohibited in Maharashtra under the Bombay High Court’s directives due to its hazardous nature.
The synthetic thread, often used for kite flying, poses serious risks, including severe injuries to two-wheeler riders and fatal accidents in some cases. Following the raids, both police stations registered cases against the shopkeepers under charges of disobedience of orders issued by public authorities.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Nikhil Pingale, emphasized the seriousness of the issue. “We have launched a special drive to tackle the illegal sale of nylon manja. Local crime branch teams and officers from police stations have been instructed to inspect shops suspected of stocking this banned material,” Pingale said.
He further added, “We will take strict action against those selling nylon manja, which endangers public safety. Such irresponsible behavior will not be tolerated.”
The Maharashtra government first imposed a ban on nylon manja in 2017, following numerous reports of injuries and fatalities among both humans and animals. Violators of this ban face penalties, including fines of up to ₹5,000 and imprisonment of up to three years. Despite the stringent rules, the use and sale of nylon manja continue, particularly during the Makar Sankranti season when kite flying is widespread.
