Authorities also recovered 22,755 unapproved kites and 642 spinning wheels made of metal and chemical strings from the suspects.

This year, a total of 4,486 individuals involved in the illegal kite and metal-string business have been arrested, with more than 371,000 kites and 8,648 spinning wheels confiscated.

Inspector General Punjab, Rao Abdul Karim, directed all RPOs and DPOs to take strict action against unapproved kite manufacturers and sellers.

He emphasised that Basant celebrations are permitted only in Lahore on specific days under strict conditions.

Monitoring of festivities will continue with drones and Safe City cameras.

The IG stressed that only registered vendors are allowed to sell approved kites and strings, and warned of stringent action against aerial firing, weapons display, and provocations.

“Compliance with the code of conduct is essential to make the three-day Basant festival safe for everyone,” IG Punjab added.