Holding Center Operationalized in Pashupati Area for Street Beggars

Kathmandu. A holding center has been brought into operation to identify the reality of street beggars rescued from the Pashupati area of Kathmandu. The center, jointly operated by Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Pashupati Area Development Trust, and Manav Sewa Ashram from Tuesday, Baishakh 23, in Tilganga Ward No. 8, initially housed 28 people. On this day, 36 people were rescued in the morning. Among them, 6 people escaped by climbing over the wall after reaching the center. 

On Tuesday itself, the acting chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol, visited the center and took information about the infrastructure, facilities, management, and the expectations of the beggars. 'We are leading the effort to make Kathmandu free of beggars. Those who can work in the city will earn by labor, and the Metropolitan City will make arrangements for the humane living of those who cannot go to the labor market and have no one to take responsibility. Coordination from individuals, families, and partners is necessary to make this work successful. Let's work together,' she responded after talking with the beggars. 

'Family reunion is the first goal. Only the helpless and abandoned will be kept in the ashram.' While talking to the rescued individuals, she gathered information about their family situation, the reasons for coming to the streets, their physical condition, and their expectations from their families and the government. While discussing food and accommodation arrangements, she instructed to arrange for the treatment of the sick. 

The executive director of the Trust, Subash Chandra Joshi, stated that the Trust will work to make the center's infrastructure organized and secure. Four of the rescued individuals have mental problems. One elderly person was injured by a dog bite. Krishna Poudel, the valley in-charge of Manav Sewa Ashram, informed that wheelchair users and crutch users were also brought to the center from the rescue. 

Out of those rescued, 6 are women and the rest are all men. In terms of age, the oldest person is 78 years old and the youngest is 25 years old. Based on their addresses, they are from places including Solukhumbu, Sarlahi, Makwanpur, Sankhu, Sunsari, Morang, Bara, Mahottari, Khotang, Dhankuta, Surkhet, and Dolakha.