Ludhiana: With the police tightening the noose around those selling and purchasing plastic kite strings, also known as Chinese strings, the sellers have started delivering them home. Besides, they keep the strings hidden in godowns, vehicles or their houses instead of their shops, which can be raided.
Every year around Lohri, cops crack down on the sale of the strings. This time, too, they have started checking shops and establishing checkposts.
In December 2020, commissioner of police Rakesh Agrawal had issued orders banning the sale of plastic kite strings. Surprise checks were conducted as part of a drive that kick-started on December 24 last. From December 24, 2020, to January 11, the police have lodged 57 FIRs, arrested 66 people and seized 2,125 rolls of plastic string.
Agarwal said, “Directions have been issued to all ADCPs and SHOs to conduct regular checks on the sale and purchase of plastic kite strings in their jurisdictions. Every day, FIRs are being lodged and the strings recovered. The accused are booked under sections 188 (disobedience to the orders duly promulgated by the public servant), 336 (act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC, the Wildlife Act and the Environment Act.
A resident of Haibowal said, “Earlier, the sellers used to keep plastic strings at their shops, but not anymore. Now, when a customer goes to a shop to buy kites, the plastic string rate and the place of its delivery are fixed verbally. At times, an advance payment is made for home delivery. These days, the strings are supplied at night to avoid police.”
Another city resident said, “People have started using fishing lines as kite string, which is dangerous. Fishing lines are easily available online. Their price ranges from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000.”
On Sunday evening, the police had established checkposts in different areas, especially in Old City that has more sellers of kites and strings.
Police action
FIRs lodged: 57
Arrests: 66
Plastic kite strings seized: 2,125
*From December 24, 2020, to January 11