Despite strict orders against sale and purchase of kites, residents in Lahore have started celebrating the kite flying culture during the last few weeks. This has caused injuries to several motorcyclists due to sharp chemical stings.
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 on kite flying after a number of deaths were reported
Recently, the residents started flying kites in different areas of the city, which includes Township,Green Town, Iqbal Town among others injuring a motorcyclist in Township and another in Green Town area.
A motorcyclist Usman, was on his way home when a sharp sting cut his throat on Sunday. Some passersby took him to a local hospital where his condition was stable due to timely medical treatment.
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.
Incidents related to the kite string killings or serious injuries have also been reported from different parts of the province.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took serious notice of deaths reported in different areas of the city and ordered the suspension of various police officials.
In the first couple of years, the police officers were actively keeping a look out for violations due to strict orders by the CM. However, due to the slackness of the officers in recent years, no action has been taken recently.
Station house officers of different police stations claim that they carried out raids and arrested people involved in kite flying or selling in their respective areas.
“More than 1,000 FIRs had been lodged in the past 5 months,” they said.
“People violating the ban on kite flying had been booked as there was zero tolerance policy for the violators:”
Strict actions would be taken where ban violation was reported.
