Tirupur activist takes up issue of beggar menace with CM's cell

Coimbatore: In the wake of worsening beggar situation in Tirupur, a local activist has shot off a letter to the chief minister's special cell seeking measures to address the growing menace. Pointing out that the city has been attracting beggars from other states, the petitioner said they have become a nuisance for commuters, pedestrians and even shoppers in the city.
In his letter to chief minister J Jayalalithaa, Sundarapandian Srinivasan, an aam aadmi party worker in Tirupur, said the "dollar city" would soon become a "beggar city", if steps weren't taken to check the flow of beggars from other states to the city. "Beggars of almost all ages, right from young children to the elderly, are found across the town. While they are a common sight across the country, their numbers seem to have rapidly swelled in the city, especially at traffic signals," Sundarapandian said.
The activist said Tirupur residents daily come across beggars who speak different languages. "For some reason, it almost looks like Tirupur has become a popular destination for the beggar community. Beggars from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka seem to be flocking to the city in large numbers to make a living," he said.
Pedestrians and commuters seem to be the most affected by this growing menace. "Wherever people go, they are chased by beggars of all ages. Children and women beggars even go to the extent of falling onto people's feet and let go of only after they are given some alms. At many traffic signals in the city, they often hold onto the arms of two-wheeler riders and tap on windshields of cars till they are given something. The public is harassed into giving them alms, though they know that begging should not be encouraged," Sundarapandian said.
The activist said he had already submitted many petitions regarding this to the Tirupur district collector and police, but they have not taken any action. "The sign of more people taking to begging is unhealthy and the government has to initiate action to stop this," he said.