Daily Times

LAHORE: Despite strict orders against sale and purchase of kites, the provincial capital has witnessed a significant increase in the culture of kite flying during last few weeks, causing injuries to several motorcyclists due to sharp chemical stings.

Meanwhile, the city police and other concerned departments have completely failed to ensure implementation of ban on kite flying in the city. Kite flying, once a popular recreational activity of Punjab, was banned by the Lahore High Court (LHC) a few years ago and later the district government imposed a ban after a number of deaths were reported in the province and the city due to chemical stings used by kite lovers.

Usman, a resident of Green Town, was on his way on a motorcycle when a sharp sting cut his throat on Sunday. Some passersby took him to a local hospital where his condition was said to be out of danger. Usman was lucky to survive due to timely medical treatment.

It is pertinent to mention that in the last five years or so, several deaths have occurred due to sharp kite strings. The victims also included scores women and children, mostly travelling on motorcycles. A few years ago, a minor lost life in Sabzazar area when a chemical sting cut his throat while he was on a motorcycle with his parents. Similarly, Ikram, a youth from Mozang, lost his life, which invoked serious criticism on the city police. Incidents related to the kite string killings or serious injuries have also been reported from different parts of the province.

Keeping in mind gravity of the situation, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took serious notice of deaths reported in different areas of the city and ordered suspension of various police officials.

The police teams, on strict orders from the CM, remained active for last few years due to which kite-related tragedies were averted, at least in the city. However, the slackness on the part of city police is obvious once again, as the menace has resurfaced in the provincial capital.

Interestingly, violation to the ban was witnessed the most in areas of northern Lahore, including Green Town, Model Town, Gaziabad, Sabzazar, Iqbal Town, Ichra, Mozang, Gawalmandi, Raiwind, Kahna, Qilla Gujjar Singh, Nulakha, Ghari Shau, Shahdra, Shahdra Town, and Bund Road.

Kite lovers continue to fly kites while no action is being taken against them. Citizens told Daily Times that despite helping local police in identifying areas of violation, no action has been taken as yet.

Station house officers of different police stations, however, claim that they carried out raids and arrested people involved in kite flying or selling in their respective areas. They added that within last five months, more than 1,000 FIRs had been lodged and people violating the ban on kite flying had been booked. They further said that there was zero tolerance policy for the violators, adding that strict actions would be taken where ban violation was reported.

Some police officials, requesting anonymity, also stated that on most occasions, whenever people were arrested for violation to the ban, connections were used and cases were dismissed.