Nagpur police seize banned nylon manja worth Rs 19.30 lakh, arrest two in supply chain bust

Nagpur Police have taken major action against the illegal sale of banned nylon manja ahead of the kite-flying season. The Crime Branch's anti-vehicle theft squad and Wathoda police seized 540 reels of the prohibited Mono Kite and Mono Kite Gold nylon manja in two separate operations. The stock is valued at Rs 19.30 lakh. Two accused have been arrested, and a suspected chain involved in transporting and storing the banned manja has come to light.

The first operation took place on the night of October 26-27. The Crime Branch's anti-vehicle theft squad had received specific information that banned nylon manja would be transported, and the squad was on patrol accordingly.

Acting on the tip-off, the squad stopped an autorickshaw, registration number MH-49-CF-2274, on Symbiosis College Road in Bidgaon, under the Wathoda police station limits, in front of Janata Garage.

The driver was identified as Sajid Ahmed Shakeel Ahmed (28), a resident of Ansar Nagar near Chand Hotel in Dobinagar, in Nagpur's Tehsil area. Police allegedly found 360 reels of banned Mono Kite and Mono Kite Gold nylon manja in sacks in the autorickshaw.

Police seized the banned stock, the autorickshaw and a mobile phone. The total value of the seized property was put at Rs 13.90 lakh.

During questioning, Sajid allegedly said he had brought the consignment from Majri to the Symbiosis College area in Wathoda. He is also said to have told police that he was helped by an alleged accomplice, Badre Alam, and another person identified through a mobile number. A case was then registered at Wathoda police station against three accused, and a search began for the absconding suspects.

Second major seizure in raid on godown

Taking the investigation forward, Wathoda police carried out a technical probe and, acting on specific information, tracked down Badre Alam Mukhtar Ahmed (36), a resident of Momin Pura in Nagpur.

Police laid a trap and took him into custody on October 28. His godown in the Yashodhara Nagar police station area was then searched. Officers allegedly found another 180 reels of banned Mono Kite and Mono Kite Gold nylon manja there. The stock in the godown is valued at Rs 5.40 lakh. The accused has been arrested, and further investigation is under way to establish the extent of his alleged involvement in the illegal trade.

Probe focuses on supply chain

With 540 reels worth Rs 19.30 lakh seized in the two operations, investigators are now trying to trace the source of the banned goods. They are also looking into who the other suppliers are and through which distribution network the stock was to be moved.

Police are also examining how the goods were allegedly transported from Majri to Nagpur and what role was played by those whose names emerged during questioning. Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.

The sharp, synthetic strands of nylon manja pose a serious danger to people, birds and two-wheeler riders. The operation highlights the police's efforts to curb the spread of such banned manja.