(IANS) - Each year during the holy month of Ramadan, child begging booms in Kashmir. Children squat outside mosques, government offices, in market places, and wherever else they can get alms.

Muslims give generous alms during Ramadan and this attracts beggars from even outside the state.

"Scores of beggars, especially children, who are forced into begging mob you each time you step out of a mosque after offering prayers," says Ali Muhammad, 49, a local businessman.

Most people find it difficult not to give in to the pleadings of beggars, especially children, in this state where violence has claimed thousands of youths during the last two decades.

'Aap kay bachche Allah ki hifazat main rahein' (May Allah protect your children from harm); 'Allah aap ko aapke bachchon ki bahaar dikhayey' (May Allah grant the dreams you have cherished for your children) - these are some of the pleas the child beggars approach the residents with.

"In a turbulent land of absolute uncertainty, nobody can ignore such pleadings and attract the beggar's curse," says Muhammad Ramzan, 56, a resident of downtown Srinagar city.

The locals give money, clothes and even food to child beggars to invoke God's blessings.

Farooq Ahmad, deputy inspector general of police (Kashmir range) here, told IANS: "It is a menace our society has been facing since long, but we have decided to come down strongly on anyone encouraging begging by children.

"Yes, we have a role in curbing the menace and we shall discharge our duties in accordance with the law, but society must also realise that giving alms to child beggars encourages them to beg."

Ironically, most of the child beggars who come here with their parents are registered as "tourists" since technically "they are annual summer visitors to Kashmir". They leave the valley with the first snowfall each year.