At least nine people were killed and over 300 injured in kite flying-related incidents on Saturday night and Sunday as the Lahorites celebrated Basant with traditional zeal and enthusiasm.
Police completely failed to keep a check on use of metallic wires in kite flying which resulted in frequent tripping and damaged Wapda installations and deprived people of water supply.
Law enforcers also failed to curb aerial firing and fireworks, which accounted for most of the injuries in the city.
Basant celebration was a nightmare for motorcyclists as there were over a dozen cases in which throats were slit due to sharp 'dore' (string) while riding bikes.
One five years old girl Saima was killed in Shafiqabad area when 'dore' slit her throat while she was enjoying kites on her roof top.
Two children Amjad and Amir in the walled city areas were killed when they fell from two-storey building while chasing kites, and two young boys were killed in road accidents.
Majority of the victims died either after falling from rooftops or looting kite, cutting of throat by the kite-string and in road accidents.
There were a number of cases of electrocution due to use of metallic 'dore'. The casualty wards of hospitals treated over 80 cases of kite flying related injuries.
"Majority of the victims were children and youths who were brought for emergency treatment. However, there were a few who were critically injured and were admitted in Intensive Care Units," hospital sources informed Business Recorder.
Police also apprehended over a dozen people and put them behind bars for using metallic 'dore' and brandishing firearms.
However, this step was not enough to stop the public from openly flouting all the bans.
The celebrations of Basant started on Saturday night when the whole city lit up with floodlights. The main concentration of kite enthusiasts was in walled city where every rooftop was occupied.
Residents of posh areas like Lahore Cantonment, Defence, Model Town and Garden Town also held Basant parties.
Major corporations and hotels held their separate functions to entertain their guests. Diplomats from most countries who are stationed in Islamabad specially came to Lahore to enjoy the festivities of Basant.
Showbiz personalities held their own private functions on Basant eve. There were two major parties in the city where all film stars had gathered and jointly celebrated Basant.
One party was organised by Bolan Cultural Association in Allama Iqbal Town which was attended by film veteran Muhammad Ali, Nisho, Shahida Mini, Alina, Director Hasan Askari, Laiba and Designer BeeGee, while Reema, Shan, Momamer Rana, Veena Malik and others gathered at film producer Ahad Malik's party.
The government this year had not given official patronage to Basant. So there was no formal activity on government front.
However, senior bureaucrats held their private functions. There were a few kite-flying competitions in public parks. However, social organisations and kite-flying associations arranged them.
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