Salman Aslam & Sajid Bashir
LAHORE:
Basant is not only a kite flying event but also a time of sorrow and grief for families whose loved ones especially children fall prey to this bloody event.
The ban on riding motorcycles has caused serious problems for the poor and middle class people for whom motorcycle is the only means of transportation. As soon as the ban came into effect, a large number of motorcyclists were hauled by police and traffic wardens. Scores of motorcycles were seen lined up at main city crossings and traffic signals. Motorcyclists alleged that police received heavy bribes from them for allowing them to return home on their bikes.
Almost two decades ago, kite flying was considered a very special day. It signified the onset of spring and was celebrated in almost all parts of the country with great fervour and gaiety. People of all ages were seen flying kites of all shapes and sizes. The clear blue sky beckoned everyone, and people surrendered themselves to the joy of kite flying. And thus, the sky remained dotted with vivid splashes of colour from dawn to dusk. But there used to be no casualties but only minor accidents. New methods of sharpening strings with lethal chemicals and crushed glass have not only deprived many families of their dear ones but also the people associated with this industry of their source of income.
Thanks to deadly twine, kite flying now poses a serious threat to motorcyclists and pedestrians in busy residential areas and has also been known to cause power shutdowns. Dozens of people, majority of them children, had been killed or injured by twine. The deaths were caused by razor-like kite twine featuring metal strips and abrasives designed to slice through an opponent’s string. The string, however, posed more threat to pedestrians and motorcyclists, seriously injuring them and in some cases even decapitating them.
People who romance weapons saluted the Punjab government for allowing the ‘game of death’ by firing countless shots in the air. The use of hazardous materials in preparation of twine is going on across the provincial metropolis, leaving a big question mark over the performance of those assigned the task to stop the use of glass coating and chemical strings in the kite twine.
Interestingly, the All Pakistan Kite Flying Association, Lahore, members staged a demonstration at the Lahore Press Club on Friday night, alleging that the government did not allow them to open their shops despite receiving Rs2,500 from each shopkeeper. They said the problem occurred after the city district government failed to issue the notification of lifting the ban on activities related to kite flying in order to allow people to celebrate Basant.
The sale and purchase of kites and lethal kite twines had begun a week ago as kite lovers started collecting kites and twines for Basant festival. Keeping in view police action, people in the kite business had formed a new strategy as deals between kite sellers and purchasers were taking place secretly. Shopkeepers had shifted kites and twines from shops to unknown places and whenever a deal was struck, the consignment was delivered from a safe location to avoid arrests and raids.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=167211
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