Three killed as kite-flyers flout ban in PakistanIslamabad : At least three people were killed and dozens injured as kite-flyers defied an official ban on the sport to begin the traditional Basant (Spring) festival, news reports said Saturday.
People in various cities of eastern Punjab city ignored an order issued by the regional government after the sport claimed at least eight lives since the restriction was relaxed last month.
A teenage girl was electrocuted Friday night in the city of Rawalpindi when a metal string touched an overhead power line and fell on to the girl as she worked in the courtyard of her house, the English daily Dawn reported.
Two more people were reportedly killed in kite-flying related incidents Friday night in central Faisalabad city.
Dozens of others were admitted to various hospitals in Rawalpindi for multiple wounds that included injuries by lethal twine, while many others fell from rooftops while flying kites.
Pakistan's Supreme Court had imposed the ban last year after complaints by families whose loved ones were killed by the glass-powder and chemical coated strings and metal wires. Kite-flyers use the material to cut other people's strings in competitions held during Basant.
The court lifted the ban for 15 days starting Feb 25 for the festival, but also warned of strict action against those found using materials prohibited by the court in kite-flying.
At least 19 people including eight children died and more than 500 were injured while celebrating the festival last year.
