LUCKNOW, Feb. 19 -- Despite chief minister Yogi Adityanath ordering a statewide crackdown on the sale and storage of banned nylon kite string (Chinese manjha) and directing that deaths caused by it be treated as murder following the death of a 33-year-old medical representative, ten incidents have left 10 injured, many with deep throat wounds. Police records, however, show only two FIRs and two arrests, raising questions about enforcement, accountability and the effectiveness of the drive.

A death, then a series of injuries

The spate began with the death of medical representative Mohammad Shoaib, 33, on February 4 after his throat was slit by the deadly string near Bazaarkhala under the west zone commissionerate. Following the incident,...