The Islamabad Police have launched a campaign against street beggars, arresting 582 individuals during the last 15 days.
A total of 302 children were also among those arrested. The police have sent most of them to Edhi centres and protection centres and put the habitual ones behind bars.
A police spokesperson said the department had initiated legal process against gangs of professional beggars and their handlers by registering FIRs against them.
He said there were some gangs who bring children from far-off areas and force them into begging on the city’s streets.
IGP Tahir Alam Khan said “this social evil be curbed and those handling beggars would be dealt with an iron hand”, according to a press release.
He added that needy children and women involved in begging are being shifted to various centres for their rehabilitation.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2014.
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