NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has found a rather unusual way to join the viral ‘kuchu-puchu’ Gen Z trend, using internet humour to deliver a serious warning about kite-flying strings.In a recent social media post, the police urged residents to enjoy kite flying but stay away from banned Chinese manjha and plastic-coated strings, which can cause serious injuries to people and animals.“Dear Kuchu Puchu, Patang Udao but Say NO to Chinese Manjha, Samjhe?” the police wrote, giving its usual safety messaging a more playful, social media-friendly tone.The message comes as authorities step up action against the banned string in Delhi. The Crime Branch recently seized more than 1,300 rolls of Chinese manjha during an enforcement operation. In a separate action, Central Delhi Police recovered around 120 rolls.The post quickly drew reactions online, with some users poking fun at the police for adopting the language of Gen Z.“Gen-Z mode of Delhi Police”, “They are updating”, some comments read. Behind the light-hearted presentation, however, is a serious safety concern.Chinese manjha is generally made using synthetic or plastic material and can be coated with abrasive substances. Because of its sharpness, it can cause deep cuts and injuries. It can also become particularly dangerous for birds, which can get caught in the string while flying. There have already been fatal consequences in Delhi.Recently, a 32-year-old man travelling to Mundka for business suffered a cut to his neck after coming into contact with Chinese manjha in southwest Delhi’s Uttam Nagar.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
In another tragic incident in 2023, a seven-year-old girl died after being injured by Chinese manjha while travelling with her father on a scooter in west Delhi’s Paschim Vihar.The police’s latest post therefore carries a straightforward message beneath all the social media humour. People can continue flying kites and enjoying the activity, but using banned synthetic strings can put lives at risk.The campaign also reflects a broader change in the way police departments communicate with the public, with serious safety warnings increasingly being delivered through the language, trends and humour that dominate social media.
