24 individuals from Rajasthan, begging in Birtamod, sent back

By Our Correspondent,Birtamod, Aug. 10: Authorities have repatriated 24 individuals who earned a livelihood from begging in the Birtamod area of Jhapa district to Rajasthan, India.

Locals and businesses had been complaining that several beggars asked for money citing different reasons on a daily basis. 

Following the complaints, a team of Birtamod Municipal Police and Nepal Police started a search operation to identify the beggars. The beggars were found living in a group in a hotel in the Bus Park area.

"The individuals had rented four rooms at Mausam Taplejung Hotel. They used to pay Rs. 1,800 monthly for a room. Of the 24 individuals, 12 were children," said Nagendra Prasad Sangraula, Deputy Mayor of Birtamod Municipality.

Officials informed that the beggars used children and forged documents to beg as someone in need of help. 

"The beggars asked for money by showing fake documents that read that they came to Nepal with an infant after their house was destroyed by a natural disaster," said Sangraula. "The 24 individuals were transported in the vehicle of the municipal police and left them on the Mechi Bridge in Kakadvitta, the border between Nepal and India," said Deputy Superintendent of Police  and chief of Anarmani Area Police (DSP) Suraj Karki.

Sangraula stressed that the municipality was coordinating with locals to identify and solve social issues.