Kite flying claims boy’s life

70 people injured by stray bullets, strings in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

A seven-year-old boy was killed after he fell from the rooftop while flying a kite in the Dhok Kala Khan area while as many as 70 people were injured from stray bullets and in kite flying-related incidents during the last two days.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson said that the seven-year-old boy fell from the rooftop of his house and died while flying a kite. According to hospital sources, more than 70 injured people were brought to emergencies after they were hit by stray bullets and strings.

The Rawalpindi city echoed with the sound of gunshots as a large number of people celebrated Basant in violation of the government ban.

Some of the injured were identified as Muhammad Anas, Fatima, Naseem Amjad Qureshi, Haroon, Niaz, Abdul Khan, Mubashir, Muslim, Hina, Subhan, Maizam Aqeel, Tauqeer Hussain, Nisar and others.

The Benazir Bhutto Hospital emergency was put on high alert because of the incessant increase in the number of injured persons. Additional staff was deployed in the emergency department to cope with emergencies.

Police arrested more than 100 people during the ongoing crackdown and seized kites and weapons from their possession.

A few weeks ago, the Rawalpindi Kite Flying Association had announced to celebrate two separate Basant events in Rawalpindi Cantonment and the City despite a ban imposed by the Punjab government.

The second Basant was celebrated in the city on Thursday and Friday after Friday prayers as a large number of basant fans gathered on the rooftops of their houses and started flying kites. In the afternoon, the basant celebration reached its peak and the sky was filled with colourful kites.

Heavy aerial firing and fireworks also continued during the event while killer strings of kites injured dozens of people. All city areas including Sadiqabad, Bani, Amarpura, Dhok Khabba, Dhok Ratta, Satellite Town, Khayaban Sir Syed, Dhok Kala Khan, Committee Chowk, Ganj Mandi, Mohanpura, Bhabra Bazaar, Kartapura, Dhok Hasso, Fauji Colony and other areas witnessed small and big gatherings. The kite flying and aerial firing continued throughout the day.

Rawalpindi district police had deployed over 1600 cops in different city areas particularly in congested localities to control kite flying and aerial firing, a police spokesperson said.

The spokesman that police arrested 746 violators besides recovering over 100,000 kites and 2000 kite flying string rolls from their possession.

On the other hand, the police said that after the announcement of two illegal Basant celebrations in the city, a crackdown was started and thousands of kites were seized and about 100 violators were arrested. On Thursday, police with the help of drone cameras and binoculars arrested more than 80 people.

Awareness campaign

Under an awareness campaign, special announcements were also being made in the mosques to prevent kite flying and aerial firing, said the police spokesman, adding that the parents were also urged to keep an eye on the activities of their children and not allow them to be a part of illegal activities.

The people had also been requested to report on 15 against kite flying and aerial firing so that such notorious elements could be immediately rounded up, he said, adding that more arrests will be made with the help of social media and footages. Parents should play their role in stopping this bloody game, they advised.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2022.