Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

`Beggar mafia thriving'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The existing laws are inadequate to effectively tackle the `beggar mafia' and rescue children from its clutches, Jose Mavely president of Janaseva Sisubhavan, has said.

The Sisubhavan is an agency involved in rescuing children from those who force them into begging.

Mr. Jose was here on Tuesday to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy demanding the Government to enforce the laws to prevent such instances.

Mr. Mavely told mediapersons that Kerala was being considered a State where children could earn substantial sums through begging alone. Children from all southern States and also from the north are being transported to Kerala. Those behind the trade harass the children and even dismember them, he said.

Recently, a 11-year-old girl, Radha, was picked by Sisubhavan officials from in front of Thevara Lourdes Church in Ernakulam. Radha was forced into begging by her stepmother during daytime.

Noted litterateur Suguthakumari also accompanied the Sisubhavan officials to submit the memorandum to Mr. Chandy.

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