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CHENNAI: Police commissioner S George on Wednesday issued a prohibitory order banning flying kites with manja that has killed four people in the city in the last three years.Though a ban on the sale and use of manja has been in existence under Section 71 of the City Police Act, this is the first time a prohibitory order has been issued which attracts charges under more sections, including culpable homicide.The order, issued after the death of five-year-old manja victim Ajay of Perambur, will be in effect for the next 60 days. It will be extended later.With the city seeing four manja deaths and 14 related accidents in the past three years, George said present orders will criminalise the sale and use of manja. “In case of death and with the prohibitory order in place, the suspect will not be able say that he was ignorant about the law,” George told reporters at a press conference. The commissioner appealed to parents to advise their children not to use manja.In case flying kites with majna, the arrested person could face a maximum jail term of six months, besides being punished for endangering the life and personal safety of others. Geroge, citing the recent prohibitory order issued by the Delhi police, said that ordnance on ban of manja under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 is enforced in Maharashtra and Gujarat.The police have urged residents to call 044-25615086 and alert control room (100) about manufacture or sale of manja. The caller’s identity will be kept a secret.For spreading awareness, the Pulianthope police have already conducted a series of street plays, taken out rallies. These will be followed up across the city. An awareness song by ‘Gana’ Bala is also being aired as part of the awareness programme. In demonstrations, police have shown how manja can cut cucumbers.Professor S Bala Subramaninam, department of forensic medicine at Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital, who handled manja injuries, said the thread can severely injure the neck and the victim can die due to blood loss.