Ebenezer News Explainer DeskExplainers are written from our published summary and its cited sources, then checked against them.15 Oct 2026, 03:25 pmUpdated 2h ago4 min readIndiaIndia
Why dangerous kite strings are a major safety concern in Belagavi
Belagavi police have issued an urgent warning against using dangerous kite strings known as manja following the tragic death of a 19-year-old motorcyclist. This incident highlights the severe risks these sharp, prohibited strings pose to public safety during busy festival seasons.
What happened in Belagavi
A 19-year-old youth named Dhruva Santosh Karjagi died after his neck was slit by a kite string while riding his motorcycle. The incident occurred on October 1.
He was traveling from the city centre towards his home in Mahantesh Nagar at the time of the accident.
He was crossing the National Highway bridge in the Gandhi Nagar area when the string became entangled around his neck.
The string caused a deep cut, resulting in severe bleeding. He fell from his motorcycle and died on the spot.
The Belagavi North Traffic Police Station has registered a case regarding the death.
Superintendent of Police K. Ramrajan described the incident as a matter of great concern. He urged the public to exercise significant caution while flying kites.
Why this matters for safety
The use of manja is a significant public safety issue. It is particularly dangerous as kite-flying activities increase during festivals like Dasara.
When these sharp, coated strings are used, they create life-threatening hazards for people moving through public spaces.
Because these strings are often thin and difficult to see, they can easily catch on the necks of riders.
This creates a high risk of injury or death for those who are simply traveling on roads near kite-flying areas.
Motorcyclists who face high risks of severe neck injuries from accidental entanglement.
Pedestrians walking near open spaces where kite flying is common.
Two-wheeler riders navigating through city traffic and onto highways.
Birds that can become trapped or fatally injured by the strings.
Local residents who may be unaware of strings crossing their paths.
How we got here
Manja is a type of kite string that has been prohibited due to its dangerous nature.
Despite these existing bans, the recent tragedy has prompted authorities to reiterate the rules.
They are now increasing their focus on enforcement to prevent future accidents.
Superintendent of Police K. Ramrajan noted that the sale and use of such strings are already forbidden.
Local officials are now coordinating efforts to ensure that shops and traders comply with these safety regulations.
Belagavi City Corporation Mayor Preeti Kamkar also expressed grief over the death of Mr. Karjagi.
She emphasized that the civic body would take active steps to prevent the sale of manja within its jurisdiction.
What happens next
Authorities have committed to taking strict action to prevent the further sale of prohibited kite strings.
The following steps are expected to be taken by the police and the city corporation to improve safety:
Police will monitor shops and outlets to stop the sale of manja.
The municipal commissioner will conduct inspections of shops to check for prohibited items.
The corporation council will discuss further measures to regulate kite string usage.
Legal action will be initiated against anyone found selling the banned string.
These measures aim to ensure that festive celebrations do not endanger the lives of others.
Authorities have reminded the public that traders should not sell manja and the public should not purchase it.
Key facts at a glance
The victim was 19 years old at the time of the accident.
The fatal incident took place on October 1.
The string became entangled while the victim was crossing a National Highway bridge.
The Belagavi City Corporation Mayor has pledged to take steps to prevent sales.
Officials have appealed to the public to avoid strings that endanger others.
