Tahir Mushtaq
JAMMU, Jan 22: Begging, the most common urban problem has taken alarming dimensions in Jammu city, with children as young as six years in shabby conditions roaming the market places and seeking alms.
Come Monday, Friday or Saturday, a large number of beggars can be found outside temples and mosques seeking Rupees one or two from the visitors. Other favourite destinations are bus stand and Raghunath temple, railway station, taxi stand, Jewel chowk and Kachi Chawani areas which remain abuzz with tourist pilgrims.
“They have become a nuisance for the people particularly the tourists as they follow them in the markets. Though they are mostly children, but their handlers are always near them keeping a close watch”, said a shopkeeper at Raghunath Bazaar.
Though it is banned, but in absence of strong anti-begging law and juvenile homes, administration has turned blind eye towards the menace. Most of these unfortunate souls are from outside the state and are allegedly being forced into the ‘profession’ by begging mafia.
“Beggars in Jammu are mostly from other parts of the country who are brought here under a well planned strategy not only to fleece but also to commit petty crimes- the government however seems to be sleeping over the issue” said Rashmi Singh, a housewife.
As per Ramesh Sharma, who runs an NGO, since last few years begging has become a trade. Kapil said that there is a big syndicate behind the begging menace who mostly target affluent class, tourists and foreigners.
“They sometime keep following the person until he pays something. Mostly children between the age group of three to seven and that too mostly girls, their number is fast increasing”, she said. She said that there is need to counsel the professional beggars and motivate them to work with their hands. “There is a Need to rehabilitate young girls and children who unfortunately have got trapped into this social evil due to one or the other reason”.
No comments:
Post a Comment