Non-local beggars have swarmed many areas in South Kashmir including along vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

The pedestrians, shoppers, tourists, students and employees face inconvenience when beggars come their way asking for alms.

These beggars can be seen roaming around freely at public places including footpaths, parking lots, hospitals, markets and the tourist spots.

Taveela Zahoor, a student of Islamic University of Science and Technology said: “Every day when we go to the university, the beggars literally chase us to fetch money. These non-local beggars have made the lives of girl students miserable.”

A male student outside IUST campus said: “Whenever these non-local beggars see a young girl or a group of students, they literally pounce over them. Whenever we are with our female classmates outside the camps they humiliate us.”

The tourists also complain of the menace. A foreign tourist at Jhelum Park in Awantipora, here said that he and his family were being harassed by beggars who did not spare them even when they were in a hurry.

“You find these beggars at every tourist resort. Surprisingly, some beggars carry with them babies,” Wajahat Ali, a tourist from Lucknow, said.

Anil from Delhi said: “We came here to view the beauty of Kashmir, but every moment we step out of the vehicle, we get surrounded by beggars, who do not let us go until we give them some money.”

Mohammad Shafi a local shopkeeper in Anantnag told Greater Kashmir that though Anantnag district is a tourist hub of south Kashmir, “surprisingly it is full of beggars”.

“The beggars here could be seen pulling the dupatta of women and even chase men to fetch money,” he added.

Begging being an offence under Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Beggary Act I960, strict action should be taken against these beggars, suggested a group of people here.