Kite string claims another life

LAHORE:

Despite tall claims of a zero-tolerance policy by the government against kite flying, another teenager died after his neck was slit by a kite string while travelling on a motorcycle in the Misri Shah area on Monday.

The teenager motorcyclist was identified as Mobeen Kashif. The victim had left home to get food from a nearby shop. As he reached near Na-Khuda Chowk, a kite string ran over his neck badly cutting his jugular vein. He fell and received fatal injuries.

The victim was rushed to Lahore Mayo Hospital but he died on the way due to excessive bleeding. The delay in first aid also proved fatal.

Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) DIG Bilal Siddique Kamyana as is usual in such matters took notice of the incident and directed SP Sadar Division to conduct a further departmental inquiry against the SHO Misri Shah Sub-Inspector Khurram Shehzad after suspending him.

He also issued a letter of explanation to SDPO Misri Shah Hassan Aziz as well.

In addition, Lahore Police Chief also issued a letter of displeasure to the SP City Akhlaq Ullah Tarar.

CCPO said there was zero tolerance on kite flying and action would be taken against the concerned police officers and officials in case of any loss of precious human life due to kite flying.

Lahore Police Chief Bilal Siddique Kamiana has appealed to the parents to keep their children away from the unlawful and dangerous activity of kite flying.

More than 2,770 cases of violation of the Kite Flying Act have been registered this year and thousands of kites and stings have been recovered from the accused this year whereas as many as 686 FIRs have been registered against kite-flyers this month, spokesperson Lahore police added.

Earlier, Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan took immediate notice of the incident of death and sought a report of the incident from CCPO Lahore.

He said prevention of kite flying should be ensured in all cases and concrete steps should be taken against this dangerous game in collaboration with the district administration and civil society.

Further, on the order of IG Punjab, the concerned SHO has been suspended while clarification has been sought from the concerned DSP and SP.

IG Punjab, while issuing instructions to the field officers, said that a zero-tolerance policy should be adopted on kite flying incidents.

In this case, the negligent officers will be held accountable and the supervisory officers of the area where the kite flying will take place will be held accountable.

He added that a special crackdown should be carried out against kite flying on weekends and immediate legal action should be taken against kite flying as well as kite makers and kite sellers.

He also urged the need for an extensive awareness campaign on legal penalties and harms related to this dangerous game.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2022.