17 hotspots identified in Bhopal

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The district administration has identified 17 hotspots in Bhopal where children were found begging. The hotspots include 10 no. Bithal stop and market, 1100 quater Hanuman Mandir, Shapura lake, Servdharm kolar, 6 no. stop, MP Nagar, New Market and Mata Mandir, Raja Bhoj setu and kamla Park, Hamidiya hospital and Peergate, Lalghati chouraha, Bairagarh chanchal chouraha, Chola mandir, Karond Hanuman Mainder, railway station, Nidera bus station, Ayodhya Nagar and 12 no. walk.

While waiting for a traffic light to turn green, people saw children with torn clothes, broken limbs and beaten faces, hitting cars. Traffic stops at the signal and they move between vehicles. The district administration has launched a campaign in association with the Women and Child Development Department (WCD), anganwadi workers and volunteers, which will continue till June 9.

Under section 76 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015, employing or using a child for the purpose of begging, or inducing a child to beg , constitutes a crime. The punishment for this offense is imprisonment of up to five years along with a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh. These children are subjected to harsh conditions, cruelty and torture and live in poverty. To make ends meet, children have no choice but to beg.