Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: The recent tragic death of a 37-year-old man, Sahil Kumar, whose throat was fatally slit by a banned Chinese nylon thread, commonly known as Gattu or Chinese Manja, on the Jammu-Akhnoor flyover, has sent shockwaves through the city. This heart-wrenching incident underscores the persistent failure of the police and administration to enforce the ban on this hazardous material, raising serious questions about their effectiveness and accountability.
This was stated by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) executive member Raman Suri who added that despite the prohibition under law, the open sale of this deadly string continues unabated, claiming innocent lives and plunging families into grief. The banned Chinese Gattu string, a synthetic thread coated with glass particles, has become a recurring menace in Jammu and its suburbs, particularly during festive seasons like Raksha Bandhan and Janmashtami.
Every year, the city witnesses a surge in kite-flying activities, with rooftops across Jammu becoming battlegrounds for kite enthusiasts, many of whom, including children, unknowingly or recklessly use this prohibited thread, Raman Suri said. The tragic loss of Sahil Kumar, a breadwinner riding a motorcycle with his wife, is a stark reminder of the lethal consequences of this dangerous practice. His helpless wife witnessed the unimaginable horror of her husband’s life being snuffed out due to the greed of a few unscrupulous traders and the negligence of those tasked with enforcing the law.
The open availability of Chinese Gattu string in markets across Jammu and its surrounding areas points to a deeper malaise—corruption and administrative apathy. Despite repeated warnings and enforcement drives, the banned thread continues to be smuggled into the Union Territory, sold clandestinely in shops, and used with impunity, he alleged.
This raises critical questions: If the ban is in place, why is the string still openly available? Why are those selling this deadly material not facing stringent charges, such as unintentional murder, given the known risks? The public demands answers, and the authorities must act decisively to prevent further tragedies. Raman Suri called upon the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the district administration to launch an aggressive, sustained drive to crack down on the sale, distribution, and use of banned Chinese Gattu string across Jammu and its suburbs.
This drive must include surprise inspections in markets, particularly in areas like R.S. Pura, Janipur, Pacca Danga, and Domana, where recent seizures have exposed the rampant sale of Gattu string.
Raman Suri said that minor fines or short-term arrests are insufficient to curb this deadly trade; instead cases under relevant sections, including charges equivalent to unintentional murder should be registered against sellers and distributors to deter violations. The responsibility does not rest solely with the authorities. Market associations must take a stand against their members who sell this “death in shops” for profit, tarnishing the reputation, he said.
