24 child beggars rescued in Vijayawada

All the rescued, including 12 infants and mothers were produced before CWC

Children, who were caught by DCPU officials while begging at various places, being produced before Child Welfare Committee in Vijayawada on Friday. Photo. Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

Officials of District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), under the supervision of Women Development and Child Welfare (WD&CW) Department, conducted raids in the city on Friday and rescued 24 children while they were being used for begging.

Of the total rescued, nine were baby girls, three male infants, seven girls aged below 14-years, and the remaining were boys. The raids were conducted jointly by WD&CW, Police and NGOs, said WD&CW Krishna District Project Director K. Krishna Kumari.

“The parents and guardians of the children abused and neglected the victims and used them for seeking alms.

Under Section 24 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, child begging or utilising infants for seeking alms is prohibited”, said District Child Protection Officer Ch. Vijay Kumar.

Ms. Krishna Kumari said two teams conducted surprise checks at bus and railway stations, Five-Number route, One Town, Benz Circle, and Seetammapeta and rescued the children along with their parents while begging at the junctions.

Speaking to

The Hindu , DCPU Legal Officer Lakshmi said that the children were deprived of child rights and the accused may get three years’ imprisonment, besides penalty.