A steady rise in the population of beggars during the tourist season and with underage children compelled to join the racket; organisations working in the field of child welfare have sought police intervention to expose the organised begging network.
All the major towns have witnessed the arrival of a large number of beggars during this season.
A survey on “Human Trafficking in Vulnerable Districts of Goa State Report” conducted by Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai has recommended that law enforcement agencies maintain a strict vigil on vehicles dropping children for begging.
“This should be investigated further. These sites, if explored, could expose a well-organised racket and prevent children from being forced into beggary,” reads the report.
NGO ARZ has slammed the local authorities for failing to curb the increasing menace that has now sneaked into the residential areas.
“Whether human trafficking or voluntary is behind the sudden increase of beggars’ population, slack administrative action in curbing the menace has upset residents,” NGO ARZ Director Arun Pandey said.
As per the report, which was discussed by experts on Wednesday, children in the age group 8“14 years of age are the most common victims of forced begging, and they usually belong to the states of Delhi, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Karnataka.
“Children are seen to be begging at railway stations, bus stations, beaches, and other tourist spots,” it said.
