The streets of Srinagar are increasingly plagued by a significant surge in begging, creating considerable inconvenience for residents and tourists alike. Despite a ban imposed under the Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Beggary Act, 1960, and efforts by the authorities to curb the menace, the problem persists and appears to be organized by a begging mafia.

Locals report that beggars, often disguised in traditional Kashmiri attire, use emotional manipulation by involving young children and newborns to solicit alms. This exploitation of children has become particularly distressing, with many of these children being hired from neighboring states specifically for begging purposes. These groups are typically transported in private vehicles to various strategic locations across the city, such as traffic signals, commercial areas, hospitals, and places of worship.

The authorities have taken some actions, including forming task force committees and conducting rescue operations for children involved in begging. For instance, the Child Welfare Committee in Srinagar has conducted multiple drives to rescue children from the streets, focusing on their rehabilitation. However, despite these efforts, the begging mafia continues to thrive, causing frustration among locals who feel that genuine needy individuals are overshadowed by these organized groups.

There have been calls from both residents and officials for stronger enforcement and better rehabilitation measures. The Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar has highlighted ongoing efforts under the Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) scheme. This scheme aims to rehabilitate beggars through the involvement of NGOs. Authorities are working towards implementing a comprehensive rehabilitation framework to effectively address the issue. The focus is on providing sustainable livelihoods for those involved in begging and ensuring their integration into society. However, the effectiveness and urgency of these measures are still questioned by the city's residents, who call for more robust action to alleviate this persistent problem.

Local residents and officials alike are urging for stronger enforcement of the existing laws and better rehabilitation measures. The authorities have been criticized for their apparent indifference and lack of sustained action. The presence of an organized begging mafia, which allegedly transports and exploits beggars for profit, has only compounded the problem. Videos circulating on social media show non-local beggars being transported in expensive vehicles, further fueling public outrage and calls for stringent measures against those orchestrating these activities.

Overall, while there are ongoing efforts to manage and reduce the begging menace in Srinagar, the problem persists due to inadequate enforcement and the complex involvement of organized groups. The city's residents remain concerned about the effectiveness of these measures and continue to demand more decisive and immediate action to tackle this issue comprehensively. Authorities need to prioritize both enforcement of existing bans and the rehabilitation of individuals involved in begging to bring about a lasting solution to this pervasive problem.