Karnataka Police have launched a sweeping enforcement drive against banned manja (glass-coated kite string) across the Hubballi-Dharwad region, registering 12 criminal cases and seizing large quantities of the prohibited material, following the death of a 38-year-old laboratory technician on 23 October. The crackdown comes after Vidya Manjunath Gowdar died when a hanging manja string sliced her throat as she rode her scooter along Karwar Road near Shivashankar Colony in Hubballi.

How the Fatal Incident Unfolded

Vidya Manjunath Gowdar, a laboratory technician, was riding her scooter on Karwar Road on Thursday when a glass-coated manja string, left hanging in the air — likely from a kite snagged on a tree or electricity pole — caught her neck and cut her throat. She died from her injuries, adding to a growing toll of fatalities linked to the banned string in the region.

Authorities noted that kite strings frequently remain suspended across roads after kites become entangled on poles and trees, posing an invisible but lethal hazard — particularly for two-wheeler riders and cyclists who are most vulnerable to neck-level strings.

What the Police Are Doing

Hubballi-Dharwad Superintendent of Police Bhushan Borase said on Friday that despite earlier awareness campaigns, the public had not taken warnings seriously, and the latest fatality had forced a shift to active enforcement. 'We have immediately taken two steps. We have instructed police officers to register cases wherever manja ropes are being sold. So far, 12 criminal cases have been registered, and we have seized a considerable quantity of manja rope. The sellers have been booked,' Borase said.

Police have also written to the corporation commissioner requesting the deployment of civic body workers, sanitation staff, and Hubballi Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) personnel to remove kites and cut dangling manja strings from public spaces. A week-long clearance drive is planned to reduce the risk to road users.

Citizens have been urged to call the 112 emergency helpline if they spot dangerously hanging kite strings or witness anyone flying kites using banned manja. Police personnel will respond to such complaints, Borase added.

Belagavi Also on Alert

Belagavi Police Commissioner K. Ramarajan separately warned traders against stocking or selling manja rope, and appealed to the public to avoid its use altogether. Citing past fatalities involving two-wheeler riders, Ramarajan said: 'We urge people not to buy manja rope in the first place, as it can endanger lives and even cause death. If anyone provides information about its sale, action will be taken. There is no problem with flying kites using ordinary thread. Manja rope is banned, and legal action will be taken against anyone found using it.'

A Pattern of Deaths in Karnataka

The tragedy in Hubballi is not an isolated case. On 1 October, a 19-year-old student, Dhruv Santosh Karjagi, died under near-identical circumstances after a sharp manja string slit his throat while he was riding a motorcycle in Belagavi. That incident, just three weeks before Vidya's death, had already prompted police advisories — but enforcement reportedly remained inconsistent.

This is at least the second manja-related fatality in Karnataka within a month, raising pointed questions about whether the existing ban is being adequately implemented at the retail and distribution level. Critics argue that awareness drives alone are insufficient without sustained raids on supply chains.

What Happens Next

The week-long removal drive, combined with the active booking of traders, signals a more aggressive posture from law enforcement. However, with the festive kite-flying season continuing, authorities face pressure to demonstrate that enforcement will outlast the immediate media cycle. The Karnataka Police have called for sustained public cooperation to prevent further casualties.