Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 8: Despite the glaring presence of children begging on Goa’s streets, government data astonishingly claims zero rescues in 2025. However, officials now admit that poor coordination between the police and child welfare agencies has crippled the system, leaving vulnerable children at risk.

While District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) and Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) confirm that over half a dozen children have been rescued this year, they blame the mismatch in figures on a systemic failure. The High Court of Bombay at Goa is currently monitoring the issue and has expressed concern over the lack of concrete action.

"The police chase 'bigger' cases. Child beggars don’t feature on their radar," said a CWC member, requesting anonymity.

Officials maintain that these children are not of Goan origin but migrants from drought-hit areas such as Osmanabad and other regions of Maharashtra, brought in by their families to beg in tourist hotspots like Mapusa’s bus stands and markets.

The police, on the other hand, are being accused of turning a blind eye, failing to arrest exploitative adults or investigate possible child trafficking angles. Welfare officers say that simply producing rescued children before CWCs does little to address the root cause, as children often return to the streets in weeks.

Many children lack Aadhaar cards or give vague addresses, making proper identification and repatriation nearly impossible. ‘It’s a revolving door,’ a CWC official lamented.

The Juvenile Justice Act provides a clear three-stage rescue process placing the child in care homes, identifying them as in need of protection, and finally repatriating them under official escort. But implementation remains weak.

DCPU officials say they try taking suo-motu action but face inconsistent support from local police. "Goa has become a receiver State for trafficked children. But the machinery to break the chain is broken," one officer said.

Even during rescues, Mapusa and Panaji police admit to facing resistance. "The moment we attempt to intervene, adults gherao us and deny any wrongdoing. We can’t use force," a sub-inspector admitted, confirming that these children are indeed being exploited.

With the High Court watching closely, agencies are now under pressure to close the gaps and present a united front to combat the alarming rise in child exploitation on Goa’s streets.