S.S Komal
JAMMU: Begging has been banned but thrives in the ‘City of Temples’ and would be ‘Smart City’ today has changed into a begging hub. Besides those begging at Railway station, bus stands, bus stops, road sides, residential areas and religious institutions, the groups of beggars surround the vehicles stopping at traffic lights for few seconds and create most embarrassing situation for the owners. The profession being of good deal here, the inflow of the beggars from other states continues with accelerated speed.
At times these beggars become traffic hazard moving dangerously close to the moving vehicles. The worst part of it is when they blabber curses on those ignoring them which upsets the passengers of the imminent misfortune. The beggars adopt several modes for seeking alms and at times they create scenes by chasing the ladies, asking alms in the name of their children, touching their feet and causing harassment.
Majority of the child beggars are school dropouts. The single largest group of child beggars comprises kids under the age of five. A large number child beggars are addicted to glue, whiteners and other substances. Social activists, NGOs have been calling for periodical assessment of the problem and strict implementation of the rules to tackle begging networks operated by powerful mafias.
In the absence of any check by Administration, JMC, Jammu Police, the menace has assumed enormous proportion causing great inconvenience and embarrassment to the general public. Begging is a crime and can be dealt with under law of the land. The law provides arrest of beggars without warrant and sending them to Jail without trial for 3 – 10 years, else they can be sent to the shelter homes to relieve the public of the embarrassment and inconvenience. The concerned agencies need to take immediate steps in this regard to eradicate the begging menace from the City of Temples.
