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The operation revealed unexpected individuals among the beggars, including a retired Assistant Sub-Inspector, a highly educated young man fluent in English, and a woman begging to repay a loan
These beggars were found obstructing public spaces, and some were harassing devotees while intoxicated. (Representative/PTI File)
After a double murder in Shirdi, authorities have taken decisive steps to rid the temple area and village of beggars involved in illegal activities and criminal enterprises. Pursuant to a court order, these beggars were relocated to a beggar home in Visapur.
On April 4, approximately fifty beggars were apprehended. Tragically, four of them later died at the Civil Hospital in Ahilyanagar.
In a surprising development during the crackdown on April 4, Shirdi police found that one of the apprehended beggars was a former officer from the ISRO research centre. This individual, identified as KS Narayanan, communicated fluently in English and revealed that he had taken voluntary retirement from ISRO in 2008.
Narayanan, who was found among beggars outside gate number four of the temple, was released the same day after providing a written statement.
The operation also uncovered other unexpected individuals among the beggars, including a retired Assistant Sub-Inspector, a highly educated young man who spoke fluent English, and a woman who was begging to repay a loan, leaving the police astonished.
In a concerted effort on Thursday morning, officials from Shirdi Police, Sai Sansthan, and the Nagar Panchayat launched a campaign and detained 75 beggars in the Sai temple area.
These beggars were found obstructing public spaces, and some were harassing devotees while intoxicated. The operation was led by Police Inspector Ranjit Galande, Sai Sansthan Security Officer Rohidas Mali, and Nagar Parishad Chief Officer Satish Dighe.
- Location :
Shirdi, India, India