Just before the festival of Makar Sankranti, Hyderabad Police has taken the biggest action till date against the deadly Chinese manjha. During a special operation conducted in different parts of the city, police have seized banned nylon and synthetic yarn worth Rs 1.24 crore. In this case, the police have so far registered 103 cases and put a total of 143 accused behind the bars.
‘Happiness is not dearer than life’- Hyderabad Police Commissioner
In this regard, Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar, while addressing the press conference on Thursday (January 8, 2026), made it clear that the joy of the festival cannot be celebrated at the cost of anyone’s life. Terming this banned Manjha as a silent killer, he said that it is not only fatal for humans and voiceless birds, but also causes irreparable damage to the environment.
During the Sankranti festival, extensive measures were taken to curb the sale of banned Chinese Manja.
Large quantity of China Manja was seized in a special drive conducted in the City Commissionerate area.
A total of 103 cases have been registered so far in the attacks conducted in all zones across the city… pic.twitter.com/Bsip4g9Pkz
— VC Sajjanar, IPS (@SajjanarVC) January 8, 2026
He said bluntly, ‘Police will adopt a policy of zero tolerance regarding storage, sale or transportation of Chinese Manjha. Strict criminal action is certain if caught.
What was revealed in the police investigation?
A shocking revelation has come to light in the investigation that many businessmen have now started resorting to e-commerce and social media platforms to avoid ground action by the police. Commissioner Sajjanar warned that the IT and task force teams of the police are monitoring the e-commerce sites 24 hours. Whoever is found involved in its buying and selling through online medium, a case will be registered against him on the basis of digital evidence.
In this intensive police raid, a total of 6,226 manjha charkhakis (bobbins) have been seized. Details of the action taken on regional basis are as follows:
- South West Zone: The biggest success was achieved here, where 34 cases were registered and 46 people were arrested and money worth Rs 65.30 lakh was seized.
- South Zone: 35 arrests and seizure of Rs 37.22 lakh in 27 cases.
- Task Force: The special task force of police arrested 87 accused in 67 cases alone.
Alarm bells for parents
The Commissioner cautioned the parents and said that Chinese Manjha has metallic and glass coating. This thread can be a good conductor of electricity, putting children at serious risk of electrocution while flying kites. The police have appealed to the citizens to use only traditional cotton thread. Any violation can be reported on WhatsApp number 94906 16555 or 100.
Also read: ‘BJP means British Janata Party’, Revanth Reddy’s sharp attack on the central government, calls it a threat to the Constitution.