Rescue of child beggars: DNA tests to confirm guardianship
As officers moved in, desperate mothers clung to their children, pleading through tears. "Please don't take my child. We'll leave the state and never return," cried one woman, her voice echoing the anguish of many others.
The operation was part of Project Jeevanjot 2.0, a state-led initiative aimed at eradicating child begging. According to Bachhitar Singh, who led the rescue team, such emotional resistance is a familiar challenge.
"They beg us to let the children go, promising to migrate back. But our mission is clear — to protect these minors from exploitation," he said.
The rescued children were immediately shifted to protection homes, where they are receiving care and support. They were later presented before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which has initiated a thorough verification of their identities and guardianship claims.
Navpreet Kaur, an officer with the women and child welfare dept, confirmed that DNA tests will be conducted if guardians fail to produce valid documentation.
"If the relationship isn't verified, legal action will be taken. We cannot allow these children to fall back into cycles of abuse," she stated.
This operation follows a similar rescue just a day earlier, where seven children were taken into protective custody. All are undergoing the same verification process.
Authorities have issued a stern warning: repeat offenders will face criminal charges under child protection laws. "No child will be returned without verified guardianship. We are committed to ending this exploitation," Kaur emphasized.
The administration is urging citizens to support the campaign and report incidents of child begging by calling the child helpline 1098.
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