Crackdown on beggars, drug addicts ordered in Punjab

LAHORE: Inspector General of Police Punjab Shoaib Dastagir ordered launching a crackdown on beggar mafia and drug addicts. Actions should be taken against professional beggars in collaboration with teams of Child Protection Bureau across the province, said the IG Punjab.

The IGP directed to initiate a crackdown on professional beggars and drug addicts and said that speedy action should be taken against professional beggars in all districts of the province. The notification in this regard has been sent to CCPO Lahore, all RPOs, CPOs and DPOs and it has been emphasised upon by IG Punjab that timely action in collaboration with child protection bureau teams should be taken against those beggars who exploit children for begging on roads whereas there should be no delay in taking action against drug addicts who snatch commodities from citizens on the pretext of unemployed labourer and jobless persons. The IG directed regional and district police officers that the beggars and drug addicts on roads cause trouble for the citizens, hence, they don't deserve any leniency; therefore, special action should be taken against them. Moreover, he said the patrolling hours of forces should be made more effective and the report with respect to action taken against beggars and addicts should be sent to central police office on daily basis.