Call to stop feeding street dwellers

Meal providers have been urged to stop giving out free meals on the streets, but instead provide them to shelters for street dwellers, the marginalised, the homeless and the disabled.

This call was made by stakeholders following the disclosure about the influx of street dwellers in Lautoka who flock in to get their free meals.

A good number of them are said to use vacant market stalls to store their belongings during the day, then collect them in the afternoons before the market closes.

Lautoka Market Police Post officer in charge, Corporal Sanjay Chand, said street dwellers gave excuses and refused to return home or find work.

“More effort is required in the eradicating of street dwellers in the city of Lautoka,” Corporal Chand said.

“Street dwellers come from other districts and do not return, including mentally challenged people.

“Religious groups that continuously feed the street dwellers need to stop, but assist in rehabilitating them to reduce the numbers.”

Corporal Chand said Police were looking forward to assisting other agencies in dealing with street kids and dwellers.

‘’They used to be at vacant houses outside the city and came into the city when vacant houses were checked at night,” he said.

“They are always at Shirley Park to ask people for money.”

Shirley Park Police Post officer in charge, Corporal Dharmendra Prasad said Police had confiscated glue from street dwellers who were using refreshment cups and bottles to intake the drug.

Lautoka Market Vendors Association president Filomena Ditukana supported Corporal Chand’s call.

“Mentally challenged people harass vendors for cash. Homeless people are using public taps to shower,” she said.

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