CHENNAI: A 28-year-old man died after a stray 'manja' kite thread slit his throat while riding a moped on Nerkundram High Road near Vanagaram on Sunday. Police said N Raj Kumar, a caterer from Arumbakkam , fell off the bike and died on the spot.

Six days ago, another motorcyclist on Anna Salai was injured in the neck by the kite thread that has ground glass glued to it. Kite flying is banned under Section 71 of the City Police Act, but no action is taken to prevent sale of such threads in the city.

Passers-by saw Raj Kumar suddenly falling off his bike near Bala Murali theatre on Nerkundram High Road at 4.45 pm, police said. He was returning after meeting a prospective customer at Vanagaram when the accident happened. Manja slits through biker's neck

"It was a stray 'manja' . It looks like Raj Kumar did not sense the thread till it got entangled around his neck because he was wearing a helmet . People who saw the incident told us that he lost balance and fell off the bike. He died because of the neck injury caused by the thread," apolice officer said.

Police said this was the first accident involving 'manja' in the area. "We will try to take steps to prevent flying of kites using the thread in the area," the police officer said. People flying kites often use 'manja' threads to cut other flying kites. These kites which are cut loose often stray about. Bikers often fall prey to these hanging threads because it is difficult to spot them while driving.





Source : TOI (2nd April)