ISLAMABAD: The Bhara Kahu police arrested a shopkeeper after recovering kites and strings from his shop, said the capital police on Tuesday.

This was the first police action against any kite seller after a couple of years even though the capital administration has imposed a ban on kite selling and flying since long.

On a tip-off, the police raided a jewellery and cosmetics shop at Bhera Syedan and recovered kites and strings concealed on the premises.

The police said the shopkeeper was a native of Mansehra and was living in Bhara Kahu.

According to the police, 175 kites and 90 string reels were recovered during the raid. The shopkeeper was later produced in court from where he was sent to jail on a judicial remand.

A police officer, when contacted, told Dawn on condition of anonymity that there was a ban on kite flying and sale of material used in it, including kites and all types of strings. The ban had been imposed after stray strings got entangled around the neck of motorcyclists and also caused road accidents, he added.

Citizens travelling on motorcycles, especially children, are most vulnerable to such incidents. Besides, children chasing stray kites on streets also meet with accidents.

The practice of kite flying became lethal since the manufacturing and use of chemical coated and metal strings started, the officer added.

About action against the manufacturers of such kites and strings, he said due to other engagements the police were not going after them so vigorously.

Bhara Kahu police station house officer (SHO) Inspector Malik Bashir said action would also be taken against manufacturers if they were found in the limits of the police.

A police spokesman said it was the major action taken by the police against a kite seller in the capital. Action was also taken against the sellers in the past, including sending a report against them to the magistrate office, he added.

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2018