Cops tell e-com firms not to sell kites, manja in city

After finding out that they had bought the kites and thread from other states through online marketplaces, the police have written to these companies asking them not to entertain such orders from Chennai where kite flying has been banned.

 During a vehicle check at Collectorate Colony on Wednesday evening, a police team led by Assistant Commissioner Balamurugan secured a man with kites. Based on the inputs from the man, identified as Shahjahan (25) of Virugambakkam, they raided a footwear shop in Virugambakkam and found

 more than 600 kites, manja thread and spools hidden there.

 The shop owner, Thamim Ansari of the same locality, was secured. Investigation revealed he had purchased the kites online from Ahmedabad to sell it in the city, as his business had taken a hit due to the lockdown.

 “He received orders from youngsters through WhatsApp and Facebook, and delivered the kites and threads at their doorstep,” said an official. They were booked under the City Police Act and were released with a warning. Though kite making and flying are banned in the city, purchasing them from other States and online sales has been continuing unabated. City police have also written to e-commerce platforms not to entertain such orders from Chennai and its neighbourhood.