Nagpur: Taking stern view of fatal and serious accidents caused by nylon manja, Nagpur bench of the Bombay high court on Thursday directed authorities to formulate a comprehensive policy to completely curb its manufacture, sale and use, including measures to stop its illegal supply from neighbouring states at the borders.A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas issued the directions while hearing a suo motu PIL based on various media reports highlighting injuries and deaths caused by the deadly kite thread.The court directed the police and municipal commissioners of Nagpur and Amravati, along with other concerned officials, to meet and prepare a draft policy addressing the manufacture, transportation, supply, sale and use of string commonly known as Chinese manja. Nischay Jadhav is assisting the court as amicus curiae.The judges specifically directed authorities to incorporate stringent measures to intercept the transportation and supply of nylon manja in border areas if it is brought into Maharashtra from neighbouring states.The proposed policy must also fix responsibility on negligent officials who fail to prevent the illegal supply or use of nylon manja and provide for appropriate action against them, the court directed. The policy is to be placed before the court before the next hearing on Sept 10.The court also clarified that amounts collected as fines would be used to assist those injured by nylon manja. A three-member committee constituted for the purpose will provide financial assistance to those in need.The court took on record procedure formulated by public welfare authorities for extending such assistance to victims.The directions come against the backdrop of repeated accidents involving nylon manja, which can cause severe injuries to pedestrians, motorists, animals and birds.
