The police claims to have come down hard on any violators of the ban on kite flying in the city, the increasing number of deaths and injuries caused by the chemical-coated twine indicate that the measures being adopted by the police in the name of the crackdown are inadequate.

The recent death of a college teacher and six similar incidents in a week suggest that much more is needed to check violations effectively.

On March 5, Aftab Ahmed, a 30-year old teacher at Dayal Singh College, was on his way to the college on his motorbike. When he reached near Ichhra flyover on the Ferozepur Road, the metallic string of a stray kite slit his throat. He fell to the ground and later succumbed to his wounds.

The usual karwai (action) followed the tragic accident; the CCPO Lahore, Ghulam Mehmood Dogar, visited the spot and issued suspension orders for the SHO. He also issued show-cause notices to the Model Town SP and the Ichhra DSP.

A case was eventually registered with the Ichhra police against unknown persons.

Unchecked kite flying in the city and recent observance of Basant festival in Rawalpindi and some other cities of the province show that the overall strategy of the administration to cope with the problem is not effective.

In this backdrop, there is still a debate going on about whether it is fair to call Basant, a centuries-old tradition and a cultural event of Lahore a menace? Would it be right to think that only the police are responsible for the failures in protecting lives of the citizens falling victim to this sport? How can kite flying be made a safe sport? Can we revive the economy around kite-flying and present a soft image of the country broad?

Operations DIG Sajid Kayani says, “To me, kite flying is a menace. It’s no longer a harmless sport. Instead, it has turned into a deadly sport that has been taking its toll on innocent people’s lives.”

“We have never supported those involved in selling or manufacturing chemical-laced twine or metallic string. They should be dealt with an iron hand,” says founder of Kite-flying Festival in Pakistan, Nadeem Saeed Wayeen.

Kayani says, “The police alone cannot handle the situation. Despite utilisation of all resources, continued crackdowns and heavy presence of the police in Lahore, we cannot check each and every rooftop in the city for violators of the ban. Collective wisdom and concerted efforts of the whole society are the need of the hour.”

Our focus should be on creating awareness among the public about the dangerous consequences of this menace”, the DIG adds.

“There is a need to differentiate between a simple kite flyer and seller and manufacturer of the chemical twine or metallic strings who makes billions of rupees from this business,” he says.

In order to put an end to making kites and manufacturing as well as selling of twine laced with chemicals, the Lahore police have proposed the formation of separate categories for kite flyers, sellers and manufacturers to penalise them.

For the manufacture of twine, the police have proposed a minimum imprisonment of one year and a maximum of five years or a minimum fine of Rs 500,000 and a maximum of Rs 2 million. The same period of confinement has been proposed for the vendors, too. However, the recommended fine ranges from Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000.

For kite flyers, a minimum imprisonment of three months and a maximum of one year or a minimum fine of Rs 50,000 and a maximum of Rs 100,000 or both sentences have been recommended.

The founder of Kite-flying Festival in Pakistan, Nadeem Saeed Wayeen, sees the issue differently. He says it would be sheer insanity to deprive the Punjab of its rich cultural activity. “We have never supported those involved in selling or manufacturing chemical-laced twine or metallic string. They should be dealt with an iron hand.”

Nonetheless, he adds, it would not be fair to deprive hundreds of thousands of families directly or indirectly associated with this industry which, in the past, had not only brought billions of rupees in circulation but also attracted a large number of tourists.

“The Punjab Prohibition of Dangerous Kite Flying Activities Ordinance, 2001, that was later amended as Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying (Amendment) Act 2009, is a defective legislation as its practical implementation is very difficult. The legislation does not envisage the treatment and mechanism where a juvenile is committing an offense,” says Wayeen.

“I am certain that by the dint of concerted efforts and a well-thought-out strategy for the festival of Basant, kite flying can be made harmless.” he says.

City Division SP Faraz Ahmed says police are making all-out efforts to catch the violators, “From drone technology to intelligence networks, all available resources are being employed to save the life and property of the citizens.”

The writer can be reached at ahsanzia155@gmail.com