Kondhwa Police joins hands with NGO’s to make Kondhwa ‘Beggar Free’
Akash Dhanurkar
Ever since the relaxations to the lockdown has been announced, a sudden surge in the count of beggars on the streets and signals of Kondhwa have been witnessed by the area residents. In order to curb the growing count of beggars. The Kondhwa Police has joined hands with city NGO’s to tackle the growing problem.b
Speaking with Salim Mulla, head of Haddiya Social Foundation, while talking to Pune Pulse said, “In 2017, there was an action taken by the Kondhwa Police with the help of PMC to control the rise of beggars in the area.”
A total of 14 beggars were nabbed by the Pune Police and produced them before the court and charged under the Beggar act. However, after a few days these beggars were given bail. In 2020, during lockdown, the count of beggars in the area started depleting, but again arose post lockdown relaxation.
Salim continued, “These beggars are good actors. They influence you in such a way through their expression that you will give them money. I am not against them, but I am against this major scam which is connected to city and big level mafias.”
According to the information given by Salim, the NGO’s have been threatened multiple times by the mafias who run this traffic. The NGO’s and Kondhwa Police have kickstarted the drive with first insisting the citizens to avoid giving money to any beggar on the street as it has become business to them.
“If you enquire about their wealth, you will understand that their daily income is more than us then imagine combined how much they must be earning a day. This money goes to the mafia who are hiding behind these innocent faces.” added Salim.
Saeed Ahmed Sayed, another core member of the Association of Pune NGO’s (APN), said, “I understand the intention to help these beggars, but one must also understand that your hard earned money is chinking in the pockets of mafias who are also the food and shelter providers of these beggars. If you are planning to help them then click a picture and send their details to us. We will take care of them by sending them rehabilitation centers. You are fuelling their illegal business than helping them by giving them money.”
While talking to the residents of Kondhwa, we understood that even the people are aware of tricks by the beggars, but even they are helpless.
One of the area residents of Kondhwa Khurd, Sohail Shaikh, who is also a media student, said, “You try telling them (beggars) ‘no’, they still won’t leave you. In fact, they are arrogant. I wasn’t aware of such a drive. I will take note of this drive and contact the individuals who are initiating it.”
Sardar Patil, senior police inspector, Kondhwa Police station told Pune Pulse that the initiative taken by the NGO’s is to boost the confidence. Our aim is to also make citizens aware of the happenings around the neighborhood. Also, we shall begin with the initiative maybe post Diwali. At this stage there is no plan chalked out to conduct the initiative. We are also identifying the chronic spots and shall take action accordingly.”
