Post News Network
Cuttack: The district administration Wednesday imposed a ban on the use of plastic-coated or glass-coated string for kite flying in the city, following the death of a six-year-old girl, Swetalena Behera, after her throat was slit by a kite string.
The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra at Sadbhabana Conference Hall here Wednesday.
The district administration also decided to prohibit kite flying on rooftops and roads in the Silver City to prevent mishaps.
Mishra has directed Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) authorities to identify open fields and riverbanks in the city for safe flying of kites. “We will not tolerate casualties in the name of tradition and culture,” Mishra said at the meeting.
District administration sources said residents will be made aware on safe kite flying guidelines through loudspeakers. “Authorities of all schools and colleges in the city will be directed to create awareness among students on kite flying guidelines,” a district administration official said.
The district administration will constitute a committee headed by additional collector Bibhuti Bhushan Das to conduct raids on shops selling plastic-coated and glass-coated kite string, according to sources.
Sources also said that the raids would be conducted from Thursday onwards.
“We will request voluntary organisations, youth associations and puja committees to create awareness among children on the harmful effects of glass-coated kite string. A few awareness rallies will also be organised in the city,” Mishra said.
Behera, a resident of Nandisahi Gopaljew Lane in the city here, was killed January 18 after the string of a kite cut through her neck. Sources said the incident occurred when the victim was travelling with her parents — Tapan and Lili — on a bike. Tapan Behera also sustained grave injuries in the mishap and has been hospitalised.
The district administration granted Rs 10,000 from the Red Cross fund for the treatment of Tapan Behera. The High Court Bar Association, the peace committee of the city and the CMC standing committee on health provided financial assistance towards his treatment.
