Mysore/Mysuru: The District Child Protection Unit, in association with Children Helpline – 1098, Department of Public Instruction, Special Police Unit, Women’s Police Station and Anti-Trafficking Unit, rescued 16 children and 4 women who were found begging around the Mysore Zoo recently.

In a joint operation that was conducted under the leadership of District Child Protection Officer N.T. Yogesh on May 15, these children and women who were found begging from the public and motorists in the vicinity of the famed tourist destination of the city (Mysore Zoo) under the pretext of selling pens, were rescued.

The rescued included kids, 3 boys, 7 girls and 4 women. While the rescued boys were sheltered in Balamandira, 7 girls were sheltered in Girls Balamandira and 4 women along with their infants were sheltered in Sthree Sevaniketana. The rescued children and women were from Saibaba and Ellamma Colonies of the city.

Child Helpline Co-ordinator S. Shashikumar, Special Police Unit for children staff Prasanna Kumar, Department of Public Instruction staff Shivamurthy and Pushpa, Women Police, Anti-trafficking Police Squad and Child Protection Unit staff took part in the operation against begging, according to a press release.