Police-thread sellers nexus in Jammu
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Unabated use of Chinese string by the overenthusiastic kite lovers, despite ban imposed by the district administration, dangerous thread known as ‘Gattu’, has taken its toll by critically injuring 18 persons across the region, including a minor thus exposing the claims of Jammu Police in imposing blanket ban on this variety of string.
The injured persons who were provided treatment in GMC Hospital include Paramjeet Singh (7), son of Sardool Singh, resident of Subash Nagar; Nanu (18), son of Rajinder, resident of Kabir Basti, Maheshpura, BC Road; Rahul Verma (24), son of Darshan Lal, resident of Peer Mitha; Rajat Sharma (26), son of Rajesh Dogra, resident of Talab Tillo; Rohit Chopra (13), son of Sanjeev Chopra, resident of Rajouri; Ganga Ram (30), son of Hans Raj, resident of RS Pura; Sandeep Singh (30), son of Mohan Lal, resident of Talab Tillo; Rohit Sharma, son of Baldev Raj Sharma, resident of Rehari; Raman Kumar, son of Bua Ditta, resident of Lower Muthi; Jagdish, son of Tara Chand, resident of Maheshpura; Prabhu, son of Gopal Krishan, Tikri and others.
Talking to STATE TIMES, Casualty Medical Officer of GMC Hospital Dr Heincy Bhat said that ‘Gattu’ has inflicted critical injuries to many with cuts and scars on noses, ears, neck, fingers and hands. “In some cases, the injury was so severe that stitches were given to avoid delay in healing”, she said adding that this string has really wreck havoc in the entire region.
CMO Dr Rajinder Thapa rued that despite the ban imposed by the district administration, the police has failed to comply the order. The Chinese thread should be strictly banned in the market to avoid injuries, he said.
Contrary to police claim of close vigil, the vendors were openly selling this string to kite lovers in Pacca Danga area of Jammu City.
“Police officials, who were supposed to implement the ban on Gattu seem to be least bothered to check the menace thus prompting the kite sellers to carry on with this illegal trade practice recklessly and without any fear. The brazen act of kite sellers in selling the ‘Chinese Dor’ clearly indicates that police is also sharing the large percentage of profit being incurred by the dealers of Chinese Gattu”, said a local from Krishna Nagar, requesting anonymity. He alleged that recent tall claims made by police regarding seizure of a large consignment of reels of Chinese Gattu in several raids after the ban imposed by district administration is mere an eyewash and the whole gamut is being run under the patronage of ‘Men in Khaki’ for obvious reasons.
Showing concern on Gattu’s usage, S.D Sharma, a local from Pacca Danga said it is shocking that despite alarming situation created due to Chinese kite thread, the Pacca Danga Police has failed to take action in curbing the sale and use of this synthetic cord, which is not only inflicting injuries to humans but poses high risk to animals especially the birds.
“Pacca Danga being the hub of kite selling shops and related material is catering to the need of irresponsible kite lovers by selling Gattu openly and in abundance”, he claimed.
