TNN
‘China dor’ leaves woman with 10-inch neck wound
Ludhiana: A 22-year-old computer operator had a narrow escape from a Chinese kite string, which got entangled around her neck. The woman, Muskan, was on her way home from work in Shimlapuri when the incident took place near Quality Chowk. The sharp string left her with a cut about 10 inches long and half an inch deep on her neck.She said she could not register what was happening when the dangling kite string wound around her neck. Before she could react, the abrasive string had cut into her skin, leaving her bleeding profusely.Passersby, however, were quick to react. They rushed her to the civil hospital, where doctors administered first aid and stitched the wound. She was discharged after receiving nine stitches.Expressing concern over the continued use of the banned kite string, Muskan urged the administration to intensify enforcement against its use and ensure that the material is completely removed from markets.The incident has underlined the persistent use of Chinese kite string despite the danger it poses to people on roads.Chinese kite string: Injuries over three years2023: A Jagraon-based businessman suffered deep cuts to his forehead and both hands after plastic kite string became entangled around his face while he was riding a scooter. He required 56 stitches — 45 on his forehead and 11 on his hands.2024: A govt official riding a motorcycle in Khanna suffered a long cut on his neck after a kite string struck him near a railway underbridge. He required 10-12 stitches.2025: A 16-year-old boy in Jagraon suffered serious injuries after Chinese kite string became entangled around his neck while he was riding a motorcycle. His bike went out of control and hit an electric pole, following which he was referred to a hospital in Ludhiana.2026: Incidents escalated, with several people injured and two deaths reported in the district in Jan. Among the injured were an eight-year-old boy who required 30 stitches, a bakery worker who required 11 stitches on his neck and two on his hand, and a farmer who required 18 stitches after being struck near his eye.What is Chinese string?Chinese kite string, commonly called China Dor, is a synthetic kite string, often made from nylon or other plastic-based fibres. It is frequently coated with abrasive material to make it sharper and stronger than ordinary cotton string.Why is it dangerous?Cuts like a blade: Its thin, abrasive surface can cause deep cuts when it comes in contact with the skinHard to spot: The fine string can be difficult for motorists and pedestrians to see, particularly when stretched across roadsStrong and difficult to break: Unlike ordinary cotton string, synthetic string can remain taut and can cause serious injuries when it catches a moving person or vehicleCan entangle vehicles: When caught around a motorcycle or scooter, it can cause riders to lose control or suffer cuts to the neck, face or handsEnvironmental hazard: Being synthetic, discarded string can persist in the environment and pose a danger to birds and other animalsHow it differs from ordinary kite string: Traditional cotton string is generally softer and more likely to break under stress. Chinese synthetic string is stronger, thinner and more abrasive, making contact with it potentially far more injurious
