Bhayandar : Asked about statistics on serious crimes and other petty offences, the law enforcement agencies can dole out a long list of cases registered in their respective jurisdiction. However, when it comes to the issue of beggars, the Mira Road division of the Thane (rural) police has not lodged a single case under the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 in the last 15 years.
The matter came to light after social activist Krishna Gupta sourced out the information in this context under the RTI Act.
In reply to the query, SDPO Narsingh Bhosale has stated that no such case under this legislation has been registered at any of the 6 police stations since 2001. The nil figures is not because begging has ceased in the twin-city but it is for the obvious reason that there is virtually no action.
“We along with NGOs have been rounding up beggars on multiple occasions to send them to rehabilitation centers,” claimed a police officer.
“Beggars are perhaps the most deprived section of our society who need to be rehabilitated. However, involvement of cartels cannot be ruled out. So, the crime is not just begging but the act of force to mint money out of people’s pocket. Moreover, there is steady rise in child missing/kidnap cases which needs to be checked and law amendments for justified enforcement,” says Gupta.
Apart from presence of beggars at public places, traffic signals are the most frequented begging spots where you notice women with infants in their arms, running to you and banging your car window asking for alms.
