In an order issued by the police of Hyderabad, kite-flying enthusiasts have been asked to refrain themselves from flying kites around the religious places and thoroughfares during Sankranti to avoid any accident or breach of peace. The restrictions will be in place on 14th and 15th January, when traditional kite flying is done on the occasion of Sankranti.
According to the police, no blanket ban has been issued but a preemptive advisory has been circulated to prevent occurrences of untoward incidents. Police have also taken stern steps against the illegal sale of Chinese substitutes of ‘manjha’ which has become a menace for unsuspecting bystanders and has caused grievous injuries to them. The police officials have also asked parents to advise their children not to fly kites from terraces which do not have parapet walls to avoid any unfortunate incident.
Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar has urged people to not fly kites or allow their children to run on roads or climb electric posts to collect tangled kites.
He said, “To maintain law and order, peace and tranquillity and to prevent incidents that might affect peace in the region and accident that may occur, kite-flying is regulated during the celebration of Sankranti festival in the Hyderabad city from January 14-15.”
Hyderabad is hosting the 4th edition of the International Kite Festival this year. Kickstarted on Sunday, the three-day cultural fest will see 42 participants from 20 countries flying new varieties of kites to showcase their culture and tradition. According to the Department of Tourism, this will be one of the best editions to look forward to as newer kinds of kites will be on display including some that will look particularly stunning after the sunset.
According to one kite-flyer from the Philippines, it will be the first time he would be flying his kites in Hyderabad. He will be flying 15 different kites in the span of three days to exhibit his culture and art to the people and other participants.
