New Delhi, July 23 (IANS) In a significant action against the illegal sale and distribution of prohibited Chinese Manjha, the Delhi Police on Thursday busted an illegal supply racket and apprehended three accused, while recovering 34 rolls from their possession.
The operation was conducted by Bhajanpura police, based on actionable information and human intelligence.
The three arrested have been identified as Vinit (21 years), Himanshu (26 years) and Deepanshu (18 years), all residents of Kartar Nagar in Delhi.
According to the police, the operation to nab the suppliers was carried by Bhajanpura police team after receiving specific information about illicit supply of banned Chinese manjha at a metro station.
Acting on the tip-off, the police reached Yamuna Vihar Metro Station and caught the delivery of prohibited Chinese Manjha red handed.
The network was busted by an animal rights activist, who posed as a decoy customer to befool and trap the manjha suppliers. When the ‘deal’ was struck, he alerted the police through ‘112’ emergency helpline, following which police team raided the area and nabbed the suspects.
The police apprehended three suspects from the metro station and brought them, along with the complainant, to the police station.
During the inquiry, complainant Gaurav Gupta, Animal Welfare Officer for People for Animals (PFA), told the police that acting on specific secret information, he had posed as a decoy customer and placed an order for prohibited Chinese Manjha.
It was on July 2 that the accused contacted him and asked him to collect the consignment near Yamuna Vihar Metro Station.
The complainant then alerted the police through the ‘112’ emergency helpline.
As soon as the accused arrived at the designated location carrying a plastic sack containing 34 rolls of banned Chinese Manjha, they were apprehended by the Police Control Room staff.
All of them were arrested and booked under Sections 223(B)/351/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 5/15 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Notably, the Chinese Manjha has lately emerged as a life threat to human lives, birds, and public safety owing to its sharp edges, often leading to sudden deaths.
Chinese manjha is made from synthetic fibres and coated with metallic or glass powder. It has been banned due to serious risk it poses to pedestrians, motorists as well as birds. At repeated intervals, drives are launched against its sale and use, particularly ahead of the kite-flying season.
–IANS
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