ISLAMABAD - The residents of twin cities on Sunday demanded the authorities concerned to take strict action against the professional beggars.
They were of the view that the influx of women beggars and children with begging bowl can be seen in different markets, on roads and in every street .
According to a survey conducted by this scribe, mostly aged women are seen at various markets, bus stops and signals using different tactics to seek alms from people. A group of women carrying infants, x young men accompanying them with bandaged arms, middle-aged men showing disabilities, barefoot children, and others selling low quality products are the most common tools of gaining sympathies of people.
These beggars can also be seen in various hospitals as well as in residential areas in groups. The residents of twin cities have demanded the authorities concerned to keep an eye on such professional beggars.
Sultan Khan, a resident of G-7, said that most of these women were professional beggars and they come in groups.
“There were also organised gangs who deploy child beggars at lucrative spots like bus stops, traffic signals and markets and many raids have been conducted against them in the past,” he said. He called for taking necessary and rehabilitative steps in this regard.
He suggested that shelter homes with legal protection should be given to women beggars and must be taught some skill.
Beggary was a social evil which needs urgent measures to be tackled, he said.
He said that for healthy environment in society there was need of stringent laws to combat with beggary problem. As a citizen we should discourage beggars and encourage them to do some work, he added.
Muhammad Rafiq a resident of Iqbal Town Rawalpindi said that the concerned authorities should take notice of such people and arrange training for them to control these professional beggars.
He said there was a dire need to handle this issue seriously so that this social evil could be handled.