Child beggar in Gandhi robes rescued

The Child begging Mafia is not sparing even Mahatma Gandhi, whose dream “Happy Child is nation’s pride” has taken a new turn. The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has saved a child who was dressed in Gandhi attire from begging and is planning to save more such children from the clutches of the mafia.

The boy, Srinivas who is just ten years old was painted in silver oxide and made to stand at all major cross roads of the city to beg from dawn to dusk without a break. "If I go back with less amount then they (mafia) starve me for a day," the boy told his rescuers.

With the directions of Child Rights Commission, L.B.Nagar Police Sub Inspector Sudhakar rescued the boy and saw to it that the boy was given a bath and food. The Commission in a statement said that it is gearing up to rescue minors from the begging mafia.

The Child Begging Mafia is using sentiments of the public to earn more money by tonsuring children's head, applying harsh and cheap chemical colours. “The Mafia is also making children to pose like Lord Anjaneya and fetching money about three hundred from each child who in return get a tea and bun. The children suffer from skin rashes and itches. They were not even given medical aid,” Achyuta Rao, a member from the commission said.