MAKKAH: A total of 324 people have been arrested within a month and improper activities, including begging and illegal trades, have been contained in Makkah.

According to a report submitted to Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal by the committee concerned, of the 324 arrested people, 180 are cart pushers and 144 are street vendors of various nationalities.

Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, vice president of the Field Committee to Combat Negative Practices in the central region, has been quoted by local media as saying that the committee works throughout the year to monitor negative practices.

He said necessary measures are taken to eliminate the illegal practices, as per the directives of the prince, with intensified efforts during Haj and Umrah seasons.

Al-Ghamdi said these negative practices, especially begging, have significantly decreased compared to the previous years.

During the month of Ramadan, he said, work is focused on the central areas around the Grand Mosque. The central zone has been divided into sections with field teams assigned to each area to monitor and address issues.

“The joint committee consists of representatives of eight government authorities that work under the supervision of the Emirate of Makkah, including the Ministry of Haj, Makkah Municipality, General Directorate of Passports in Makkah, Anti-Begging Office and the Department of Al-Mujahideen,” he said. “These bodies support the committee by providing monitors and vehicles to transfer violators, and joint patrols to address other negative practices.”

Al-Ghamdi said the committee also deals with cases of mental illness and refers them to the relevant authorities for necessary measures and action. During the first 10 days of Ramadan, the committee issued 126,162 items of clothing, 5,055 toys, 31,115 carts, 44,400 gallons of water, 80 bicycles and 55,960 other items.