Vendor caught selling Chinese manja in city

PUNE: Even after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned Chinese manja in 2017, it is being sold in the market, though not openly. However, on Sunday, a team of the city police confiscated 1,068 gm of Chinese manja from a Vadgaonsheri-based seller.     

The Pune police earlier informed all shop owners selling manja and kites not to sell the banned manja, ie, nylon (Chinese manja), as it can kill human beings and animals. However, a seller was caught selling Chinese manja.

Sub Inspector Bhosale and Havaldar Rajendra Dixit, Police Naiks Chetan Gaikwad and Shakurkhan Pathan had confiscated 1,068 gm manja from Om Prakash Purohit (50). The shopkeeper was selling the banned manja at Old Mundhwa Road, near Ayyappa Novelties, opposite Karan Radar company.     

The vendor has been charged for offences under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The police are investigating the case.