Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network–Bhatkal (EP)
Bhatkal, Jun 25: As the time of fasting and prayer during the holy month of Ramadan comes to close with only ten days to go, many beggars and some in the guise of beggars have arrived in town for alms. During this holy month, giving donation and alms is common practice observed by devout Muslim families.
Bhatkal is known for giving alms and donation during the holy month. Most of the residents of the town are owners of businesses abroad and well known for Zakat or donations. Alms giving for poor families in Bhatkal and surrounding areas have been going on since generations. This fact is well known in the country and the number of people begging here has been increasing since the last five to six years.
More than half of people who come for alms do not fast during the month and their profession is also not begging. People from distant Kashmir to Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are coming to Bhatkal to receive alms.
Such people can be seen in every lane of Bhatkal now. Some who are physically challenged go around here as if they have for employment. Thousands of people in the guise of beggars have joined them. There is no dearth of blind and lame. Those who are physically well, put forth small children for begging. They wander from colony to colony during the day and sleep in bus stands and outside shops at nights.
Some eat their food also in such places. It is said that some also stay in lodges and vacate them in the mornings. Now that Ramzan market is getting ready, there is huge crowd in the vicinity.
Amidst all this, theft menace has also increased. As the number of people coming to Bhatkal for alms has increased, the menace of thefts is also on the rise. Thieves wait for the people to go for prayers, and then they break their doors and steal. There have been thefts in four to five houses in the month of fasting. Several lacs in cash and jewellery have been stolen. Identifying thieves among beggars has become a challenge for the police.
Bhatkal ASP Dr Anup Shetty says that a large number of beggars have come to Bhatkal and the police have kept a watch on their movements. “Police beats are increased in the nights. Additional police personnel are being called from other taluks and they will be deployed in sensitive places,” he said.