‘Chinese’ kite string slashes man's throat in Ujjain

INDORE: An elderly man was critically injured when his throat was slashed by kite string in Ujjain on Saturday. Doctors gave 70 stitches and managed to close the wound.
The incident took place in the afternoon when one Dayashankar Sharma, a resident of Saidham Colony, was on the way to offer prayers at Mahakal temple on his scooter, police said.
As he was passing Harifatak area, a kite flew across and its string got caught around his neck, they said adding the Chinese manjha or kite string slashed his throat, forcing him to fall.
Onlookers rushed him to the hospital where doctors gave him 70 stitches. His condition is reported critical.
On Saturday, the festival of Makar Shanktranti was celebrated. Flying kites was a part of the celebration. Despite the ban imposed by the Ujjain district administration, Chinese manjha (nylon thread) was being sold and used by people.
Unlike tradition kite string which is made of cotton thread, Chinese kite string is made of nylon and may not necessarily be imported from China. It is almost impossible to break a nylon thread due to its high tensile strength.