More than 3,000 people in Kirari took out a peaceful candle march to protest against the disappearance of over 148 children in the last 8 months in the area. local residents claim that the number of children who have disappeared from Kirari is way higher than what is reflected in the official figures of police.
"Hundreds of cases go unreported because of the abject poverty in which these families live. People living here are scared to go to the police station and choose to remain silent. In some cases, to protect the honor of their family, they do not report the disappearance of a girl child. Extreme poverty in the area also brings in nefarious elements who take away children promising their families a better future for them. It is a big racket operating here," alleged a lady who was participating in the march.
Kirari residents demanded that the Government should fulfill its promise made to the people of Kirari of getting hundreds of security cameras and street lights installed all over the constituency during the election times.
leading the candle march, Congress leader Pratyush Kanth said, "During the election campaign here in Kirari, Kejriwal had promised that security cameras will be installed in all major points of Kirari which will deter the criminal elements from indulging in criminal activities. Not even a single security camera has been installed till date."
He further added that the demands of Kirari residents include that under the Integrated Child Development Scheme, the number of Aaganwadis should be increased as these centres provide underprivileged children with nutrition, health and early childhood development.
He further added that the Delhi Government should build an orphanage in Kirari immediately. "The area has a large number of orphan kids, who can be seen loitering on the streets here. It is a mystery for me, as I see them for a few months and then they disappear," Kanth said.
Alleging Kejriwal of spending huge money on advertising campaigns, he asked him to rather focus on development of Kirari, and Delhi.
"I, along with lakhs of people in Delhi, wish that Kejriwal would have at least respected the huge mandate which he got from the people of Delhi and spend the tax payers' money on developmental work, but he is spending all the resources at the hands of the Government in promoting himself. He will go down in the history of Indian polity as the biggest liar," said Pratyush Kanth.