CHENNAI: A woman was seriously injured after a manja thread slit her neck while she was riding a scooty in Vadapalani, triggering fresh concerns over the continued use of banned kite strings.
Krithika, a resident of Nesapakkam, was returning home with her daughter from Vadapalani when the incident occurred on the 100-feet road. A stray piece of thread suddenly came into contact with her neck, causing a deep cut.
She was immediately rescued and rushed to a nearby private hospital, where she is undergoing treatment.
Her daughter, who was travelling with her, escaped unhurt.
Despite a ban on the use of manja thread, such incidents continue to be reported, raising serious safety concerns among motorists in the city.
Manja thread, commonly used for kite flying, is coated with powdered glass or other abrasive materials, making it extremely sharp and capable of causing deep cuts on contact.
It is often difficult to spot while riding, especially at high speeds, increasing the risk for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
Loose or discarded threads can remain stretched across roads, posing a hidden hazard that can lead to serious neck and facial injuries.
Apart from endangering humans, manja thread also poses a threat to birds and animals, often leading to severe injuries or death when they get entangled.
The synthetic variants of manja, such as nylon-based threads, are non-biodegradable and can persist in the environment for long periods, worsening the risk.
Despite a ban on the use of manja thread, such incidents continue to be reported, raising serious safety concerns among motorists in the city.