(MOREPIC1)Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur
Despite stringent efforts by authorities, the sale of deadly China-made string continues unabated in the region ahead of the Basant festival which is one of the most popular festivals of this region. Till date, seven FIRs have been registered in which most of time, the accused have been released on bail. Meanwhile, several incidents of injuries caused by the hazardous string have already been reported, highlighting the looming danger during the festivities.
As per information, till date the police has recovered 198 Chinese string spools. In the recent recovery, the police recovered 105 string spools and arrested three persons identified as Gurjit Singh, Jasvir Singh and Kuldeep Singh, all residents of Piareana village in Kulgarhi under sections 39, 51 of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972 and section 15 of The Environment Protection Act (FIR No. 22 Dated 27.01.2025).
There are several incidents in the past where innocent people got badly injured due to this deadly string. Jagdish Lal Headmaster of Government School at Ahmed Dhadi village in Mamdot block today got injured while he was coming back from school on a bike. He received severe injury on throat due to the string. The people saved his life by sending him to civil hospital in Mamdot where he got three stitches on the throat.
In another incident which took place on Saturday, a youth belonging to the cantonment area got injured due to the Chinese string. “I was coming back from my office on my bike when the incident took place. God saved my life on that day otherwise it could have been very dangerous”, said Ashim Gupta, the youth who got injured.
Three years ago, a four years old girl Ashleen Kaur of Gatti Rajo ke village had become victim of this deadly string. Her neck had got strangled with the string while she was coming back from her school with her mother.
(SUBHEAD)Naveen Sharma, a social activist said that in the recent years, this beautiful festival, which is the identity of this border town, has lost its essence due to use of this string by youngsters. “Not just the humans, even the innocent animals and birds have to suffer due to this plastic made string”, he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that Basant Panchami is one of the most popular festivals in this part of the country and heralds the end of winter and arrival of spring. This festival generates business worth crores in this border town, which is otherwise considered as economically backward. People climb onto the terraces of their houses since morning and fly kites amidst drum beats and playing of DJ systems. Relatives and friends of the city residents come from far-off places to celebrate the festival this town.
