MANSI BHAMBRI | DEHRADUN
In order to evade surveillance, the beggars have shifted to colonies and deeper into the city for begging. The beggars changed tack to continue with begging after the authorities sought to stop this practice at traffic light areas and major roads spread across Dehradun to avert accidents.
However, this well-intentioned move has deepened anxiety of the people living in the colonies. They say that they are being compelled to be on their guard lest the beggars who are visiting their neighbourhood frequently intrude. They practically spend the entire day eying their front doors with beggars coming every hour or so.
A Doonite, Sapna Chamoli said that there had been a noticeable increase in begging activities within residential areas and colonies recently. “They would beg for alms previously near the traffic lights and on major roads. But they have now shifted to interior Doon and are causing us great trouble. They come every hour and knock on our doors,” she said, adding that the local officials should address this begging menace they had been facing. Intruding into colonies was worrisome for them. “Unless stopped, this trend will have a negative impact on the community environment. It will affect children and senior citizens, in particular,” she added.
A senior citizen Manmohan Yadav said that the practice of begging was nothing new. “This has been continuing for many years and we are quite accustomed to this. Now, this is expanding to new and hitherto secluded areas. The authorities should dig deep into this matter instead of resorting to short-term measures like hiked surveillance. A comprehensive and stringent action plan is what is needed to stamp it out completely,” he said.
