High return makes people take up banned thread sale

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 16

The tall claims of the district administration and the police regarding keeping an eye on those hoarding plastic string appear to have fallen flat. The banned thread, which is also known as Chinese string, was used rampantly during the Lohri celebrations in the district. Since its sale fetches a good return, the illegal lucrative trade has been catching the fancy of traders. Even those dealing in other trade are getting attracted towards it.

The city police have recently nabbed two persons with a huge quantity of spools of synthetic kite flying string. One of them runs a cycle spare parts and repair shop while the other has a book store.

The synthetic string is secretly sold in the market between Rs 350 and Rs 450 half a kg. Unscrupulous elements don’t sell the same in the open as there is a well established ‘chain’ through which the banned thread is sold. They sell the same to known persons and this way it reaches to the consumers.

A day before Lohri festival, the Chheharta police had nabbed Sukhdev Singh of Khandwala with over 100 spools of plastic string. It was hidden in a godown at Guru Ki Wadali road. He runs a cycle shop in Chheharta. Next day, the police nabbed Yogesh Pawa of Katra Hari Singh, presently a resident of Chhota Haripura, with over 20 such spools. He owned a book store in the area.

The plastic string is manufactured in Ludhiana and Panipat. Police investigations have revealed that Sukhdev sold a number of boxes of Chinese string in the recent past. Initial probe revealed that he sold a box of ‘gattu’ between Rs 18,000 and Rs 20,000. A box contained 64-70 rolls of Chinese string.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) JS Walia said, “A high demand for the string has made the business flourish during Lohri festival. People should refrain from using the deadly string. It is unfortunate that people know the harms of using the string, but still they use the same with impunity.”

Advocate Ravi Mahajan said, “Usually, the police register a case for violation under Section 144 of the CrPC imposed by the district and the police administration which is bailable. It has become necessary to include hard criminal sections against the culprits to deter them from indulging in such an act.”

Give up its use

A high demand for the string has made the business flourish during Lohri festival. People should refrain from using the deadly string. It is unfortunate that people know the harms of using the string, but still they use the same with impunity. —JS Walia, ADCP

Stern action needed

Usually, the police register a case for violation under Section  144 of the CrPC imposed by the district and the police administration which is bailable. It has become necessary to slap hard sections to deter people from indulging in such an act. —Ravi Mahajan, Advocate