FAISALABAD: The ban of kite flying was blatantly violated in Faisalabad on Friday as a huge number of people celebrated Basant festival in the city. There have been reports of aerial firing in many areas.

The police action against the ban violators proved ineffective despite the claims of a large number of people being apprehended by the force.

City Police Officer Sohail Chaudhry said the Faisalabad police arrested more than 500 kite flyers and sellers and registered 445 first information reports (FIRs) during the last 24 hours. He said those involved in aerial firing had also been apprehended and thousands of kite and other related material were seized during a massive crackdown.

On one hand, police were also seen forcibly entering houses to catch kite flyers in the name of the crackdown, while on the other hand, the people were allegedly provided confiscated strings and kites from the police stations. A footage was shared with the media, showing the people carrying string rolls in a car from the Ghulam Muhammadabad Police Station. The constables at the police station gate did not dare stop the car, passing by them with blaring music.

A police officer, requesting anonymity, said the footage was one year old as this time around, foolproof arrangements had been put in place so that nobody could get even a single seized kite. He said cameras had also been installed inside the police stations to keep an eye on the officials.

Police arrest 500 people, register 445 FIRs

The footage of supplying string reels was also shared with the SSP (operations) with a query whether it was new or old. He said he was inquiring into the matter.

Despite the crackdown on kite flyers, manufacturers and kite and string suppliers across the district, the people were seen flying kites on the rooftops of the houses, especially in the populated areas in the centre of the city. Sale and purchase of kites and strings also kept going unhindered in various areas. The metal or glass-coated string creates problems for the motorcyclists and in some parts electricity supply was also suspended for a brief period when the metal strings touched power transmission lines.

Some station house officers (SHOs) visited schools and warned the students to refrain from kite flying; otherwise, action would be taken against them and their parents. Banners were displayed at various points in the city, asking people to keep an eye on their children as kite flying and manufacturing were prohibited. Police vehicles patrolled the areas carrying ladders for the policemen to climb on the rooftops to arrest kite flyers.

Some people said the top police officials had been informed that kites and strings were being provided to the kite flying ban violators from the police stations; however, nothing was done to control such elements within the police force. Questions were raised about the police involvement in the illegal sport and the efficacy of action to catch the kite flyers.

A police officer acknowledged that there was a possibility some low-ranked officials had provided the string or kites to their friends. He said the department could not keep an eye on each and every vehicle visiting the police station.

CPO Sohail Chaudhry shared his message on social media, warning of strict action against the people involved in kite flying and sale of string and kites. He urged the masses to help police trace such elements.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2021