Lucknow, Feb. 6 -- Once a symbol of celebration during Jamghat and other festivals, kite flying has now become a deadly hazard on the city streets due to the growing use of the banned razor-sharp nylon or plastic kite strings coated with crushed glass, iron particles and strong adhesive, all of which give it a knife-like sharpness capable of slitting the throat of pedestrians and two-wheeler riders within seconds. Preferred to the more expensive traditional cotton string, the cheaper nylon or plastic string becomes lethal when it is stretched across streets or 'tangled' at neck level. The competitive practice of 'tangling' gives the pastime a lethal edge as rooftop participants attempt to cut the kites of others, often prioritising victory over safety. The plastic-based thread is manufactured in cities such as Ahmedabad and Bengaluru and sold openly through online platforms, kite flyers and traders say. Battu Mian, a kite string-maker near Lucknow's City Station with over 54 years of experience, said accidents were unheard of when cotton thread was the norm. "My manjha has never injured anyone because it is made of cotton," he said. "People call it Chinese manjha, but it is made in India. Those who use plastic manjha should be strictly punished and fined heavily." A spindle of traditional cotton string costs between Rs.2,500 and Rs.3,500, while the banned plastic string is available online for as little as Rs.250 to Rs.600 per spindle -making it easily accessible despite legal restrictions. The Lucknow Kites Association has taken a firm stand against the use of plastic string. Its president Amarnath Kaul said the association enforces a lifetime ban on any member found using it. "Our 3,000 registered kite flyers strictly follow the rules. Those using banned manjha must face legal consequences." Lucknow district magistrate Vishakh G said that orders of the chief minister would be followed strictly....