Organised beggars’ racket thrives in city

It has come to the notice of the police that the trafficking syndicate is engaged in organising the beggars’ racket in city.

In a letter, written by Mr Vinoy Kumar Singh, director-general of prisons, it was pointed out that antisocial elements have infiltrated the beggars’ racket. The letter also noted that terrorists and extremists also utilise the beggars channel to carry out nefarious activities.

“Even hardcore criminals, extremists and terrorists may masquerade as beggars to indulge in antisocial activities without being detected,” the letter added.

The letter also noted that beggars, who are tapping motorists at vital traffic junctions in the city, are damaging the image of the city. “The image of Hyderabad takes a beating in the eyes of tourists,” the letter observed.

Quoting the government orders issued in the welfare of beggars, Mr. Singh noted in his five-page letter that two unused structures at Cherlapally and Chanchalguda central prisons could be set aside as accommodation for beggars.

The letter, written on October 6, noted that the prisons department will take care of the mentally unstable persons, who are roaming in city. “The prisons department will treat them as it is running a nature cure hospital,” Mr. Singh said.

Mr. Singh also sought co-operation from the municipal administration depar-tment to curb begging menace in the city.