Four people, including a four-year-old boy, lost their lives after their throats were slit by ‘manja’ amid Uttarayan festivities. Numerous injuries were also reported across the state, police said.
Fatalities were recorded in Rajkot, Panchmahal, Mehsana and Surendranagar districts. Officials confirmed that many others sustained injuries in similar incidents during the celebrations.
In Halol town of Panchmahal district, four-year-old Kunal Parmar bled to death after a kite string caused a deep gash in his neck. The boy was riding a motorcycle with his father to purchase kites and balloons when the tragedy occurred. “He was rushed to the hospital but died during treatment,” an official from the local police station stated.
In Mehsana district’s Vadnagar taluka, 35-year-old farmer Mansaji Thakor met a similar fate. While riding his motorcycle to his farm in Vadbar village, a kite string inflicted a fatal neck injury. “He was taken to the hospital but succumbed during treatment,” a Vadnagar police official said.
An unidentified man was killed in a similar incident on the outskirts of Rajkot city while riding a motorcycle.
In Surendranagar district’s Patdi taluka, 35-year-old Ishwar Thakor died after suffering deep neck injuries from a kite string while riding his motorcycle, police confirmed.
The 108 emergency ambulance service, operated by GVK EMRI, reported a significant increase in emergency calls compared to last year. As of 6 PM on Tuesday, 3,707 emergency calls were received, up from 3,362 on the same day in 2024. These calls included injuries caused by kite strings and falls from rooftops during kite flying.
Despite a state-wide ban on nylon strings and manja coated with crushed glass, their use persists among kite enthusiasts. These materials, known for their sharpness, can cause severe and often fatal injuries.
On Monday, the Gujarat government informed the High Court that 609 FIRs had been registered and 612 individuals arrested for the manufacture, sale and stocking of banned nylon and glass-coated kite strings ahead of the festival. A government notification issued on December 24, 2024 had imposed a complete ban on these items, yet they continue to be used, leading to tragic consequences.
Also Read: Over 100 Injured During Uttarayan in Ahmedabad, One Dead, Several Critical
