Police clears beggars from streets ahead of Ivanka Trump's visit

Hyderabad police commissioner M Mahendar Reddy reportedly issued an order this week that beggars should be taken off the streets because they cause "nuisance, obstruction to free movement (and) danger to vehicular traffic and pedestrians."

On Friday a senior police officer who asked not to be named said the notification was part of the city's "routine anti-begging efforts" and should not be linked to



Trump's visit.

He said the city had set up a rehabilitation centre where the beggars could be housed until they were able to "lead normal lives".

Begging will be banned in the city until January 7, with offenders facing jail or a fine.

Activist Madhu Purnima Kishwar said the order amounted to "criminalising" poverty.

"It is cruel as it criminalizes poverty," she said.