Begging Menance in Kashmir

Saba Latief

Javaid Lone  ANN NEWS  DESK

Srinagar: Nowadays beggars are common in markets, particularly women beggars, who are mostly from the outside the Jammu and Kashmir carrying little children on their laps, are on the rise.

These beggars can be seen at various chowks, crossings or outside big shops seeking alms. “Now their focal point is outside ATMs, banks, hospitals, schools and colleges as they keep an eye on people moving in or out. They encourage many others to become beggars because it is an easy way of earning .

Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Khanyar said, that these beggars had aides at various places who send them signals. Working on these signals, they rob people.

He further said that they move from door to door appealing to the people for money or food.

He also said, that they are found in front of restaurants,hotels, bus stands and in the portals of Shrines.

Mohd Ramzaan Bhat , a resident of Lal Chowk said, that beggars moves from street to street, village to village, and locality to locality.They beg for alms money,food,and sometimes for clothes .They insist for more money which irritates the people.

He also said, that begging is a social evil. It needs to be banned. it is a cause of concern for our society.

It is pertinent to mention here, that the successive regimes in the state have failed to implement provisions that call for preventing beggary and making it a punishable offence. The Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Beggary Act, 1960, describes begging as an offence and calls for immediate arrest of the offenders. The Act also directs the government to establish homes for sick, children and beggars in the state for their rehabilitation.