Ahmedabad: In a concerted effort to combat child trafficking and begging mafias, the Ahmedabad crime branch launched a special drive a month after the World Day Against Child Labour on June 12. Supported by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), the initiative aims to rescue exploited children and dismantle trafficking networks.

Police sources revealed that begging mafias operating within the city kidnap children from remote areas of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, forcing them to beg on the city’s streets.

Recent incidents have highlighted the urgency of this campaign. Two separate cases involving the kidnapping of two-year-old girls by paedophiles have surfaced. In one instance, a perpetrator named Vijah Mahanto attempted to rape a child at Vastrapur Lake but was scared away by barking stray dogs. The local community later honored these animals for their inadvertent heroism.

18 Hotspots Identified

The crime branch has identified 18 hotspots across Ahmedabad, primarily in the western part of the city. These areas include Pakwan Crossroads, C G Road, Income Tax Crossroads, Karnavati Club Crossroads, Vadaj, Outside Kankaria Lakefront, Kalupur Railway Station, ST Bus Depot, and Shyamal Crossroads.

Police noted that children are forced to beg at these hazardous locations, putting their lives at risk due to the constant flow of speeding cars.

Collaboration for Rescue and Rehabilitation

A senior crime branch official stated, “This time, we are involving professors and students of sociology to counsel these children, who have likely experienced significant trauma, and to trace their parents. This is not just a simple drive to reduce child beggars. According to our intelligence, many begging mafias are involved, and we intend to eradicate them.”

The initiative extends beyond law enforcement, incorporating a multifaceted approach to address the complex issues surrounding child exploitation. Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) City Crime Branch, Sharad Singhal, told Mirror, “We are collecting and documenting incidents to gain a comprehensive overview of trafficking and begging activities in the city. We will also raise awareness about the legal provisions.”

Cases involving child exploitation are being registered under the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code, all of which now come under the BNS.