In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in the holy month of Ramazan, beggars including women and children from different Indian states have swarmed the territory in thousands, much to the annoyance of locals, particularly in Srinagar.
According to Kashmir Media Service, though there is no official number of such non-local beggars seeking alms in IIOJK, they can be seen in clusters of dozens across the territory in recent days.
“There is no registration of such entrants into IIOJK and these people do not have any identity proofs on them.
This is not only a public nuisance, but it is also a security threat given the situation in Kashmir,” a senior official in the administration told the media, requesting not to be named.
While such non-local beggars have become a common sight in IIOJK lately, their numbers have had a meteoric rise during the month of Ramazan.
“We stay here for the month of Ramazan. People here are generous and donate lavishly,” said Babu Ram, a beggar from a far-flung village in Rajasthan, who is in the Islamabad town of south Kashmir.
While beggars thrive on the generosity of the Kashmiri people, they do not leave things to chance. Many of these beggars carry children, who are in bad shape, to gain sympathy.
Locals told the media that these beggars “hunt” in packs and they almost attack you in the middle of a crowded place.
“You can escape one, but they come in packs, and at one point you give up and give the money to them. It is like being looted,” a local in Srinagar said.—INP
