Link to original story: http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/he-couldn-t-even-shout-he-just-collapsed-and-died-in-his-father-s-lap/story-l59ikQAbqliSSYBSe6UVAN.html
That is a tragic story! It sounds like it is glass embedded strings meant for fighting kites that have been intentionally strung across roadways at neck level that caused the injuries. The article said that charges have been filed against the perpetrators.
I can only guess, that in the past a short section of ‘homemade cutting string’ was used.
Now it is mass produced and weighs less, allowing for longer sections to be deployed?