In a tragic incident in Jammu, a 37-year-old biker lost his life after his throat was slit by banned "Chinese Manjha" on the Jammu-Akhnoor flyover in the Canal area. The deceased has been identified as Sahil Kumar, a resident of Domana.

The incident occurred around 6:15 PM when Sahil Kumar was riding his motorcycle with his wife towards the Bus Stand area. A nylon string, identified as "Chinese Manjha," was dangling across the flyover and became entangled around his neck, causing a deep and fatal laceration. Sahil lost control of his vehicle and collapsed on the road in a pool of blood.

Passersby and traffic police rushed him to the Government Medical College Jammu, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. The body has been moved to the mortuary for a post-mortem examination, and the police have registered a case and begun an investigation. Sahil is survived by his wife, who was riding with him and escaped physical injury. They were returning from a routine errand when the tragedy occurred.

Chinese Manjha is a synthetic thread coated with glass particles, known for causing severe injuries to humans and animals. Despite a ban under Section 144 of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Procedure Code, this dangerous material continues to be sold and used in the region under various names like "Chinese Manjha" or "Gattu". Authorities have repeatedly warned about the severe public safety risk it poses, especially to two-wheeler riders and birds.

The District Magistrate of Jammu had previously prohibited the manufacture, sale, and use of Chinese Manjha, but enforcement has been inconsistent. Local residents and civil society groups have expressed outrage and are demanding strict action against those selling the banned thread. One resident questioned how many more lives must be lost before effective enforcement is implemented.

This is not the first time that Chinese Manjha has caused a fatality. In Delhi, a 22-year-old man named Yash Goswami died in a similar incident when his throat was slit by the banned string while riding his scooter. The incident took place near Bara Hindu Rao Hospital. In July 2023, a seven-year-old girl died in West Delhi's Paschim Vihar after the thread slit her neck while she was traveling with her parents on a scooter.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch conducted a raid in Rohini in August 2024, recovering around 12,000 reels of illegal Chinese Manjha and arresting three people. Police have arrested 79 individuals and registered 78 FIRs across Delhi in connection with the possession of Chinese Manjha.

Chinese Manjha has been banned in Delhi since 2017. It is coated with glass, metal, or other sharp materials, making it extremely dangerous.