LAHORE: A young man died after the string of a stray kite slit his throat in the Sanda area on Sunday.

Usman Khalid, 23, of Gulshan-i-Ravi, was going to Double Sarkan Stop on his motorcycle when the kite string cut his throat near Bund Road Toll Plaza. He lost his balance on the motorcycle and fell on the road. The string slit his throat, leaving him in a pool of blood.

The locals alerted the police who shifted Usman to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The family members and relatives of Usman reached the spot and protested against the police for not ensuring ban on kite flying. They said hundreds of citizens were seen flying kites in the city, particularly in the Walled City and adjoining areas, but no one was taking action against them. They claimed that the business of kites and strings in the Walled City was going on unchecked.

Kite flying has been banned in Punjab for several years owing to casualties its string causes. Any violation is punishable with imprisonment and fine or both under the law. However, youngsters resort to kite flying in some areas of the city in violation of the ban.

Taking notice of the incident, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has expressed his sorrow and grief over the death of a youth due to kite string and sought a report from the capital city police officer. He issued directions for a thorough investigation into the incident to fix responsibility for negligence in failure to implement the ban on kite flying. He expressed condolences to the bereaved family.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2019