Nagpur: In a major interstate operation, Nagpur Rural Police on Wednesday busted an alleged manufacturing and packaging unit for banned nylon manja in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, nearly 755 km from Nagpur. Machinery, raw materials and finished products worth Rs6.26 crore were seized during the operation.The deadly kite string was being manufactured under various brand names. Superintendent of police Harssh A Poddar termed it a significant breakthrough, although the factory owners have gone underground. “Owners and proprietors of the manufacturing unit have been named as accused, and police will pursue them,” he said.Poddar added that Nagpur Rural Police coordinated with the Silvassa civic administration for the operation. The seized material included machinery used for manufacturing, winding and packaging nylon manja, besides finished reels, raw materials, powder, packaging supplies and rubber stamps.Police have sealed the unit. “Instead of transporting the seized material to Nagpur, it will be destroyed there after securing permission of the local court,” said the SP.The operation followed a 10-month investigation that began with the seizure of a consignment on Dec 8, 2025, at a logistics yard in Gondkhairi village under Kalmeshwar police station limits. “Police had seized 1,200 plastic reels worth Rs14.40 lakh and a container truck valued at Rs20 lakh,” said additional SP Anil Mhaske.The truck driver, Chhabinath Nishad, an Uttar Pradesh resident, was named as an accused. Local Crime Branch subsequently traced the source to the manufacturing unit in Dadra and Nagar Haveli. As the factory was closed, police took court permission to search the premises in coordination with the local administration.The operation comes amid judicial efforts to enforce the nationwide ban on nylon and other non-biodegradable synthetic kite strings, which pose serious risks to humans, birds and animals. National Green Tribunal has prohibited manufacture, sale, storage, purchase and use of such strings.
