Beggars at a religious folk festival
in southern China have been ordered to stay in purposely built cages, or
be removed from the festivities.
Organisers
gave the beggars an ultimatum saying their presence ruins the
experience for visitors at the temple fair in Nanchang, Jiangxi province
and if they wished to beg they had to do so from inside small cages.
The
zoo-like cages are so small adults are unable to stand and although
they are free to leave at will, they are immediately banished from the
festival area and have to leave the town if they do so.


The annual fair celebrates a religious holy
day with a funfair, market and entertainment as pilgrims come to the temple from all over China.Due to the thousands of visitors it has become a magnet for down-and-outs looking for charity from tourists.


‘This year we decided we would no
longer accept beggars wandering everywhere, distressing our guests and
spoiling it for everyone else,' explained one organiser before adding
that no one is forcing them to beg and that they have voluntarily
entered the cages.
Over the last few years we have had
increasing numbers of beggars turning up at the festival and it was
becoming very intruding for our visitors. They were being harassed and
made to feel uncomfortable.
‘We had no choice but to ban them from
the grounds. We found the cages a good solution for everyone. People
can still give them donations if they desire too but are not harassed
and followed around the festival when they are having a day out with
their families.
‘The beggars are quite comfortable in
their cages, people send them food and water as gifts. In a way it is
better for them there than having to find a place on the busy streets.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2205536/China-rounds-CAGES-beggars---didnt-spoil-view-town-fair.html#ixzz271QmWX2P