A total of 393 children who were found begging at railway stations, bus stations and religious places in various districts of the State were handed over to their families. Anti Human Trafficking unit of State police had conducted special drive from December 11 to 25, 2017, in Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar districts from where the 300 plus children were rescued from begging, said State Additional Director General of police (law and order) Ashok Kumar on Tuesday.
Observations and complaints were received from various organisations about children begging at different public places in Dehradun, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Haridwar districts. It was also reported that many such children had been forced into begging by their parents or gangs.
With an aim to prevent such children from begging, a special campaign was launched in the plain districts of the State. Teams were formed at district level and police officers were also directed to identify gangs involved in forcing children to beg and take necessary action accordingly.
The police team members launched drives at intersections, railway stations, bus stations and religious places among other public places. A total of 393 children including 177 girls were rescued and handed over to their families or juvenile home with NGOs also being contacted to facilitate their education.
The family members were strictly directed to ensure that their children do not beg. Legal action will be taken against parents if their children are found begging, he warned, adding such children should be sent to school for their education. Out of 393 children rescued from begging, 288 children were handed over to their families. One child was found ill and was sent to the Government Doon medical college hospital in Dehradun.
The children found begging were mostly aged 14 years and below.
Four of the rescued children were enrolled in Dehradun based government school. Twenty one such children were enrolled in Udham Singh Nagar based Government school while 35 children in Nainital district were handed over to a day care centre run by a self help group. This group would provide shelter, food, and education daily to these children.
In this drive, child helpline, Aasra Trust, Dharohar self help group and Kumaon Seva Samiti also provided assistance. Total 57 children including 41 girls were rescued in Dehradun district while 93 including 37 girls were rescued in Haridwar, 154 including 67 girls in Udham Singh Nagar and 48 including 32 girls were rescued in Nainital district, he added.