Shivering in the biting winter cold, weaving through speeding vehicles, tiny hands stretched out for alms—such scenes at Jammu's busy traffic junctions have finally drawn firm intervention from child protection authorities.
The Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Jammu, has ordered immediate action to rescue and protect minor children found being used for begging at traffic signals and other public places across the city.
The Committee has made it clear that such children fall under the category of "Children in Need of Care and Protection" as defined under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and cannot be left exposed to life-threatening conditions.
The Jammu-based Research and Advocacy Group (RAAG) filed a complaint with the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) regarding the growing menace of minors being used for begging in various areas of Jammu city and adjoining localities.
Terming the CWC's directions a major relief for poor and marginalised children forced into begging at traffic lights, RAAG Convenor Deepak Sharma told The International Business Times that the organisation had highlighted in its complaint that children are being used as tools for solicitation at busy traffic junctions. He said the practice raises serious concerns about exploitation, trafficking, and abuse, and called for immediate intervention and strict action against those responsible.
The Child Welfare Committee, through its Chairperson Vidhi Dubey, issued an order dated February 3, 2026, following a complaint filed by RAAG through its Co-convener, Advocate Madhavi Sambyal. The order expressed grave concern over the risks posed to the lives, health, and dignity of children used for begging, particularly during severe winter conditions and in hazardous traffic environments.
In its order, the Committee directed the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), Jammu, to conduct a Children in Street Situation (CISS) Drive at all traffic junctions in Jammu city, rescue children being used for begging, ensure their comprehensive medical examination, and produce them before the CWC for further proceedings.
The DCPO has also been asked to follow up on the cases of all children rescued or rehabilitated during previous Children in Street Situation (CISS) drives.
The complaint filed by RAAG specifically highlighted that children are being used as tools for solicitation at traffic junctions in Jammu and that such acts attract penal consequences under Sections 76 and 77 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Serious concerns were also raised about the possibility of organised exploitation, trafficking, and even the alleged intoxication of children to keep them passive—issues that require immediate and thorough investigation.
Welcoming the order, RAAG Convenor Deepak Sharma said he hoped the directions would lead to consistent action on the ground, ensuring that vulnerable children are kept away from unsafe public spaces and provided care, dignity, and protection.
Last month, six minors were rescued from begging
In a rescue drive conducted on January 11 this year, six minor boys were rescued from various city areas, including Gole Market, Gandhi Nagar, Apsara Road, Asia Chowk and Bikram Chowk area of Jammu city. The rescued children, all boys, were found to be engaged in begging.
After completing the necessary formalities and filing a daily diary report, the children were produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for rehabilitation and social integration. The rescue drive was part of the ongoing efforts to combat child labour and begging and to integrate them into normal life by the district administration.
