KOLLAM: Like-minded people, who have raised their voice in social media against the beggar mafia, have joined hands to form a people’s movement – Beggar Mafia Free Bharat. The organisation formed in Kollam has the primary motive of preventing child abduction by the beggar mafia to prevent child beggary and similar crimes. “The formation of ‘Beggar mafia free Bharat’ was initiated through social media groups that shared information on the beggar mafia and similar issues. The organisation has found migrant people have major links to the beggar mafia and this has been identified at all major spots in the state. A meeting was called through social media including Whatsapp and Facebook, and over 40 persons volunteered to participate in the first meeting,” Mujeeb Pallimuttam, coordinator, told DC.
According to him, this mafia also indulges in abduction of children, attacking women, theft, and snatching under the pretext of begging. The appearance of abducted children is changed and they are taken to other states for begging. The members of the mafia are deployed in various places in vehicles and bring the children back to their camping place. The day’s collection is received by the mafia heads who then provide the beggars with drugs, and food.
While begging, they also rob if they identify isolated houses. The beggars even have a widespread network to avail legal aid. Incidents like child abduction could be prevented only by controlling the beggar mafia, the organisation observes. It will also start campaigns raising various demands including the ban on begging using children and establishing shelter homes to rehabilitate the beggars.
