Police starts crackdown against city beggars

Srinagar: A day after district administration banned begging at public, religious and other places in the summer capital Srinagar, Police on Thursday arrested hundreds of beggars and produced them before the court of law.
Reports said that police produced hundreds of beggars mostly non-locals before the court. Earlier, police conducted raids outside religious places, foot paths, crossings and arrested hundreds of beggars. A police official said that beggars were arrested from foot paths, outside shrines including Makhdhoom Sahab (Ra), Hyderpora, Exhibition and other intersections. He said that most of the beggars are from outside states.
“We detained these beggars under Jammu & Kashmir Prevention of Beggary Act I960 and produced them before Chief Judicial Magistrate,” said that official.
Reports said that Chief Judicial Magistrate referred the case to Sub Registrar who asked authorities to set up a Beggars Home where the offenders could be lodged and detained.
“These beggars were let off with a strict warning while authorities were directed to set up a beggars home.”
Pertinently, Government has banned begging at public, religious and other places, directing police to strictly follow the order and arrest ‘violators.’