22 kite-flyers, sellers sent to jail

Rawalpindi : The first class magistrates, Ahmed Hasan Ranja and Mehar Muhammad Abbas have sent 22 kite-flyers and sellers to Adiala Jail on judicial remand on Saturday. According to court staff, kite-flyers and kite-sellers are continuously appearing in courts for a week.

The violators were sent to jail on violation of 'The Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Ordinance, 2001 (Ordinance LIX of 2001)." All police stations in the city are active to arrest violators for a week. In February, as per routine, some groups spread rumours of lifting ban on kite-flying this year.

But the Punjab government has denied any such rumours that the government may allow 'safe' kite-flying as part of 'basant' festivity this year. 'We could not allow anyone to cut throat of public through kite-flying," Punjab government said.

Punjab government has warned the district police officer that they will be held responsible if the 13-year ban on kite-flying is violated in their territories. Due to rumours, majority of youngster particularly students are violating ban by flying and running behind kites.

Magistrate Ahmed Hasan Ranja said that police bringing kite-flyer violators in court. We are sending them to jail as it was non-bail able offense, he said. Parents should care of their children to avoid kite-flying at any cost, he advised.

Some of parents told 'The News' that our children are not habitual kite-flyers but they were only seeing kite flying and were arrested by police. Parents have appealed higher authorities not to arrest innocent boys they are only seeing kite-flying. Police should warn those having kites or sting in their hands but arrest those they are making or selling kites and chemical stings, patents appealed. Parents also complained that police arrested their children when they were coming from schools.