more-in The Chennai city police, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Chennai and NGOs involved in child protection have rescued 79 children since July 1. According to a release from the police, the special teams formed with members of the stakeholders concerned rescued 25 children begging at crowded public places, including the beaches and major road junctions, on July 26 alone. Of the total number, two were found selling toys at traffic signals and the rest were found begging, officials said, adding that many belonged to migrant families. “The idea is to rescue these children, trace their families and help associate them with welfare schemes available so that they do not have to come back to the streets,” a DCPU official said. Relatives detained Officers have also detained family members and relatives of these children, who forced them into labour and begging. The children have been produced before the Child Welfare Committee, and lodged in child care institutions. Child rights experts pointed out that it is difficult to wean children off begging as most of their families see it as a source of livelihood. “Begging is an emerging problem reported in most cities. The authorities need to crack down on this issue meticulously through regular policing,” said A. Narayanan, director, CHANGEindia. Stating that the combined operations would continue, the police warned of action against those involving children in begging.

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