HYDERABAD: Tourists visiting the historic Charminar monument and its surrounding markets are “bullied” by beggars. Groups of women ‘clad in burqa’, allegedly addicts of whitener fluid, harass tourists for money. The women are said to be from the villages of Kurnool and Mahbubnagar.
“They won’t leave until you give them some money. They even abuse cops who try to shoo them away,” says Sunil Agarwal, who owns a clothing store at Charkaman.
Abdul Khader, who also sells goods in the area, alleges that the women are addicted to whitener fluid.
Foreign tourists are their prime targets. “As soon as tourists get down from cars they are mobbed. Some of the women carry children in their arms,” says a fruit vendor. He claims that the beggars demand currency notes and are not happy with coins.
Moved by their plight some tourists give them money, only to be besieged and pursued by more such women. “Only if locals or shop keepers intervene do the beggars move from the place,” said a local businessman.
