Kite string kills Army veteran near Rahara
Times of India | 18 September 2025The victim, Gautam Ghosh of Barrackpore's Wireless More, had served in the Military Police with a posting at Fort William before joining as a security guard at the airport. He was going to work around 1.30 pm when a glass-coated nylon string, known as Chinese manja, got entangled around his neck, causing a fatal cut. Ghosh was wearing a helmet while driving.
Police reported that he fell on the road from his two-wheeler.
Locals rushed him to Bandipur Hospital in Khardah, where doctors declared him dead. Doctors confirmed he died from excessive blood loss. His body has been sent for post-mortem.
Toto driver Pranab Pal, who saw the accident occur, said: "The man was riding towards Dum Dum. I was coming from the opposite direction. Suddenly, I saw him fall off his bike, clutching his throat and crying out in pain. I rushed over with my toto and saw that a Chinese manja string was stuck around his neck, and blood was gushing out.
By then, several local residents had also gathered there. We placed the injured man in my toto and took him to Bandipur hospital.
But it was too late."
"This is the first fatal incident involving Chinese manja in the northern suburbs. Despite repeated awareness drives, such threads remain in circulation during kite festivals," said a senior officer of Barrackpore Commissionerate. Following the tragedy, police launched raids across Rahara, Sodepur, Khardah, Titagarh and Barrackpore to seize banned kite strings and warned of strict action against offenders.
Airport officials mourned the loss of their colleague. "He was a dedicated worker. We urge the authorities to enforce a complete stop on the sale and use of Chinese manja," said Kiranmoy Ghosh, chief security supervisor at the airport.
According to administrative sources, although the state govt has imposed a ban on Chinese manja, the sharp synthetic thread—coated with powdered glass and metallic substances—is still easily available in local markets.
Over the past few years, several bikers have received serious injuries in similar accidents in Kolkata, particularly near the Maa and AJC Bose flyovers.
Ghosh's death has triggered public outrage, with residents demanding stronger enforcement of the ban to prevent further tragedies. "Despite repeated incidents, the use of Chinese manja continues unabated. Police must take stricter action against those using them," said Shambhu Debnath, a local resident.
