KOLLAM: Oachira in Kollam which is home to three major festivals also has the highest number of child-beggars in the state. A project launched recently by the government to eradicate child beggary succeeded after eight such children were rehabilitated in a short span of about three weeks.
The child protection unit has rescued as many as 14 children last year alone from the area, which is notorious for child beggary.
Oachira is known for its festivals and children are being recruited during those seasons. There are several agencies that recr-uit children to beg, taking advantage of their innocence.
In most of the cases, the money they get is also taken away by middlemen who appoint them or by their parents.
“The Oachira child beggary eradication project was initiated for the complete eradication of the social evil as the place is a very vulnerable spot. Special kiosks will be started at Oachira during festival times apart from a permanent one in the area so that action can be taken on the spot with the help of the police and public administration,” K.K. Subair, district child protection officer, told DC.
Started in the last week of September, the new project was able to save eight children from beggary. Out of these, 4 children are from Pune, 2 from Anantapur, and one each from Hajipur and Theni. The children that were rescued were handed over to the respective child protection units in those areas.
“These children of the streets are physically and sexually exploited. They even become drug addicts because they stay in such an environment. These children are denied basic child rights including the right to survival, right to development and right to participate,” Mr Subair said.
In many cases identified by child protection workers, the beggar mafia that employ children on the streets often disable them physically to attract more sympathy so more money comes in.
As per section 24 of the Juvenile Justice Act 2000, engaging children in beggary is a crime that could fetch up to 3 years of imprisonment. It is also included in IPC 363 A and Travancore Beggary Prevention Act.
The social justice department also urges the public not to give these child beggars any charity as it would encourage them to continue on the streets. Instead, they should be assisted by dialling 1098, the childline toll free number.
