31 kite flyers, sellers sent to Adiala Jail

Rawalpindi : Judicial Magistrate, Rawal­pindi Muhammad Iqbal Sanghera has sent 31 kite-flyers and sellers to Adiala Jail on judicial remand on Wednesday.

The concerned judicial magistrate has directed police to remove handcuffs from the hands of students. The court has suggested students to avoid kite flying and instead concentrate on their education.

The court has also slapped fine of Rs150,000 against kite and chemical string sellers in this regard.

The violators were sent to jail on violation of 'The Punjab Prohibition of Kite Flying Ordinance, 2001 (Ordinance LIX of 2001)."

The court has directed police to present the accused again on February 26, 2020.

Deputy Commissioner (DC), Rawalpindi Capt (r) Anwar-ul-Haq said that some groups were spreading rumours of the lifting of ban on kite-flying. “There is a complete ban on kite flying by Punjab government and we have been directed to take strict action against violators,” he said.

According to official spokesman of police, all police stations are raiding different areas on daily basis to arrest kite-flyers and sellers. Police have recovered over 100,000 kites and over 25,000 chemical strings rolls from different localities, the official spokesman said.

Punjab government has warned the district police officer that they will be held responsible if the 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.

On the other hand, kite flying lovers in city and cantonment board areas have given different dates to celebrate ‘Basant’ festival. Kite lovers in city areas are going to celebrate ‘Basant’ on February 14 Friday while kite flying lovers in cantonment board localities are going to celebrate ‘Basant’ on February 21.

Majority of parents told 'The News' that their children were not habitual kite-flyers but were only watching kite flying when arrested by the police. Parents have appealed to the higher authorities not to arrest innocent boys only watch 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, they appealed.