Police for harsher penalties for kite-sellers
Flying kites can be lethal as many kite strings are coated with metal or crushed glass mixed with glue to help cut the strings of rival kites which have taken many lives. PHOTO FILE
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali Khan will write a letter to Punjab Government, proposing an increase to penalties and fines for violating kite-flying laws.
Rising incidents of kite-flying and kite-string injuries despite strict crackdowns drove the IGP’s letter.
Senior Punjab police believe that the crackdown was sufficient and effective, however kite-flying could not be discouraged completely since anti-kite flying laws were very weak. Punjab Police has not only asked to increase the fine for kite-flying violation but also urged for strict measures over online kite flying activity.
The IGP has proposed imprisonment for one to five years for making or selling metallic strings and kites, a fine of Rs200,000 to Rs500,000, or both. It will be proposed for Kite-flying violators to face imprisonment of three months to one year and a fine of Rs50,000 to Rs100,000 or both.
A Punjab Police Spokesman stated that a proposal is also being made to mobilize the FIA Cybercrime Wing to target those who sell kite-flying equipment through Facebook, WhatsApp or other platforms.
The spokesperson further said the process of identifying kite ban violators would become tighter, while assistance of Federal Board of Revenue and Ministry of Commerce would be sought for banning the import of equipment required to manufacture metallic string.
He further added that strictness in laws and increased punishments for kite-flying is essential to protect human lives in Punjab. Protection of human lives from kite flying is important as violators easily get exemptions due to minor punishments. Increasing penalties and fines will further narrow the circle of lawbreakers, he added.
In order to control kite flying, the police as well as the district administration, civil society and other concerned circles would need to mobilise to stop kite-flying and mitigate the surrounding dangers. Police teams are conducting regular operations across the province to eradicate kite-flying and action is being taken against those who manufacture, buy and sell kites and metal strings, the spokesman added.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2022.