LAHORE: A 40-year-old man died after the string of a stray kite slit his throat in Mughalpura locality here on Sunday Amir of Gujjarpura was on his motorbike going to Sadar Cantonment when the sharp string of a stray kite entangled around his neck.

The motorcyclist lost his balance and fell on the road, as the string slit his throat, leaving him in a pool of blood. He died on the spot.

Locals alerted police who shifted the body to morgue and registered a murder case against unidentified kite flyer(s).

Kite-flying has been banned in Punjab for several years owing to the casualties caused by the razor-sharp string coated with chemicals.

Any violation of the ban on the sport is punishable with imprisonment and fine, or both, under the law. However, youngsters still resort to kite-flying in some areas of the city in violation of the ban.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar took notice of the accident and directed the Lahore capital city police officer (CCPO) to submit a report on the matter immediately and identify the culprits.

The chief minister offered condolences to the family of the deceased.

He said those flying kites despite a ban on the activity would not be tolerated and punished severely.

Deputy Inspector General (operation) Ashfaq Khan later dismissed Mughalpura Station House Officer Mudassar Ullah and ordered senior superintendent of police (SSP) concerned to complete investigation and submit a report on the matter as soon as possible.

Mr Buzdar said the police concerned would be held responsible for failing to check the banned activity.

Last month, Usman Khalid, 23, of Gulshan-i-Ravi, had died after kite string cut his throat near Bund Road Toll Plaza in Sanda police jurisdiction.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2019