Haridwar, Jan. 12 -- Haridwar district police launched surprise raids on shops, godowns, and public places on Sunday to curb the sale, stocking, and use of prohibited Chinese 'manjha' or kite string, ahead of Makar Sankranti and Vasant Panchami. The intensified inspections follow two deaths and over 50 injuries last year related to the Chinese kite string, with two more motorcycle-borne youths seriously hurt this year after their bike skidded into a roadside barrier upon contact with the string. Police deploy teams daily across all station jurisdictions to enforce the ban strictly. They inspect commercial establishments and storage facilities to prevent illegal stocking or sale of the hazardous material. Senior superintendent of police Pramendra Dobhal said traders have already received warnings. "Meetings have been held with traders, and they have been clearly instructed not to sell, stock or supply Chinese kite string. Strict legal action will be taken against violators, including traders, stockists and those found flying kites using the prohibited string," he said. Haridwar district imposed the ban on the sale, stocking, and use of Chinese kite string in January 2025. Meanwhile, the Mahanagar Vyapar Mandal has pledged full cooperation to the district administration....