In just two days, Delhi witnessed two tragic incidents linked to kite flying. On Sunday, an 11-year-old boy lost his life after accidentally falling from a rooftop while flying a kite in Okhla, turning what should have been a moment of joy into a heartbreaking tragedy.
The news spread fast on social media with Saghir Abbasi and residents sharing the information on their timeline.
“This accident is deeply saddening. Parents must remain vigilant while their children engage in such activities,” said Saghir Abbasi, president of the Samaj Sudhar Trust, who shared the news on his social media timeline.
The young boy was laid to rest at the Batla House graveyard amid grief and sorrow, he said.
Activist Mahmood Ahmed told the OT that residents were left stunned by the tragedy. “Children will be children, and it is the duty of parents to watch over them. In this case, an innocent young life has been lost in our locality, leaving residents deeply shaken. Parents must take extra care and guide their children to prevent such heartbreaking accidents,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment, Batla House Market Association member Waseem described it as a devastating blow for the community. “The entire neighbourhood in Okhla is mourning the death of the young boy, who fell from a rooftop while flying his kite. What was meant to be a day of play ended in tragedy,” he remarked.
The incident took place around 4 pm on Sunday, and the victim was, a student of class 6 at a government school in Batla House, and the son of a welder, DCP (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said.
The incident comes at a time when kite flying is at its seasonal peak. Every year, in the run-up to Independence Day, kites dot the skies across the country, including Okhla. Authorities had already urged residents to remain cautious, with both the discom and police issuing strict warnings against the deadly Chinese manjha. Despite this, another alarming incident was reported in Sarita Vihar, where a 30-year-old biker was critically injured after a manjha slit his throat. He is currently undergoing treatment.
The victim, identified as Rajneesh, a native of Hardoi district in Uttar Pradesh, was discovered bleeding heavily on the flyover connecting Sarita Vihar to Faridabad around 4:40 pm on Saturday. Passersby rushed to his aid, and he was immediately taken to AIIMS Trauma Centre, where doctors have described his condition as critical, according to media reports.
Police confirmed that the grievous injury was caused by a red nylon thread, commonly known as Chinese manjha, a dangerous material that has long been banned due to its razor-sharp nature.
Legal proceedings have been initiated, and further investigation is underway.
The incident has once again reignited public concern over the rampant availability of Chinese manjha in Delhi, despite repeated crackdowns. Authorities claim to have intensified their drive against its sale, yet the material continues to circulate in local markets, putting lives at risk. Over the years, the lethal thread has been responsible for multiple accidents, leading to severe injuries and even deaths among not just people, but also birds and animals.
In yet another kite-related tragedy, a seven-year-old boy lost his life after drowning in a drain while attempting to catch a kite in northeast Delhi’s Welcome area, police said. The incident occurred on Friday evening when the child slipped into the drain. Despite frantic search efforts, his body was recovered only the next morning, casting a pall of grief over the locality.
