Crackdown on Beggars, and Illegal Vendors

A large number of unauthorised vendors, who went from door to door to sell their products, were also arrested during the Eid crackdown. Most of the vendors were illegals, and some of them infiltrators.

Brigadier Yousif Al Naqbi, head of the Criminal Investigation Department, said the crackdown was aimed at ensuring the safety and security of the public in the emirate.

He pointed out all the arrested beggars had entered the country on visit visas or as labourers contracted by some companies. To gain the sympathy of the people, the beggars were found to be using various ploys, including pretending to be suffering from paralysis, or having suffered fractures in arms or legs. Some of them used their children and elderly for begging.

Al Naqbi said begging is prohibited in the country and the police make no distinction while cracking down on beggars, locals or expatriates. He said that poor people, irrespective of their nationalities, can approach charity organisations for assistance.

He pointed out that the police had recently arrested an Asian illegal, who was running a begging racket, involving 70 people. He used to pay 15 to 20 per cent of the daily income to each beggar.