Kite string claims another life in Karnataka; biker’s throat slit in Bidar

Bidar :The deadly menace of kite-flying using razor-sharp manja thread has claimed yet another life in Karnataka, raising serious concerns over public safety during the festive season. In a tragic incident reported from Bidar district, a man riding a motorcycle lost his life after a manja thread got entangled around his neck, cutting his throat and causing fatal injuries.

The incident occurred near a bridge close to Talamadagi village in Chitaguppa taluk of Bidar district. The deceased has been identified as Sajeev Kumar Hossamani (48), a resident of Bambulgi village in Chitaguppa taluk. He is survived by his wife, one son, and three daughters.

According to police sources, Sajeev Kumar was riding his bike to Humnabad town to bring his daughter home from a residential school for the Sankranti festival. While travelling on the road, an illegally flown manja thread suddenly came in contact with his neck. The sharp string slit his throat, causing him to lose balance and fall off the motorcycle.

Eyewitnesses said Sajeev Kumar collapsed on the road in a pool of blood and struggled for life for several minutes. Despite sustaining severe injuries, he reportedly wrapped a piece of cloth around his neck and made a phone call to his daughter. Local residents rushed to the spot and tried to stop the bleeding using cloth, but his condition deteriorated rapidly.

Residents alleged that an ambulance was called immediately, but it failed to reach the spot on time. By the time medical help arrived, Sajeev Kumar had already succumbed to his injuries. Enraged relatives and villagers blamed the delay in ambulance services for his death, stating that timely medical intervention could have saved his life.

The incident sparked protests by family members and locals, who demanded strict action against those using banned manja threads and accountability for emergency service delays. They alleged negligence on the part of local authorities and called for stricter enforcement of the ban on dangerous kite strings.

Police from the Manna Ekhalli police station visited the spot and registered a case. Officials stated that no kite string was found at the scene during their initial inspection, but confirmed that all angles, including the use of manja, are being investigated. Further inquiry is underway to determine responsibility and prevent such tragedies in the future.

This incident once again highlights the lethal consequences of illegal kite-flying practices and the urgent need for stronger enforcement to protect innocent lives.