We are always harassed by police, allege transgenders

Jaya, a transgender activist, who was coordinating the protest said that police were covering up what had happened at the station. ‘This morning, an Inspector of police informed our NGO that Tara had come to the station in an inebriated condition. she had also created a ruckus, used abusive words and all of a sudden immolated herself’. He further agreed to shows CCTV footage of the what had led to the self-immolation act. But when we rushed to the station we only saw her body lying amidst seized vehicles. We were shocked beyond words. The policemen are hiding the truth from us,” said Jaya.

“Tara must have been definitely beaten up by the police personnel. She had bleeding injuries on her neck. We don’t know from where she got the petrol and the match stick to set herself on fire. The police showed us videos taken when Tara was arguing for her possessions. They have abused and embarrassed her,” she said. 

When the transgender community demanded to see the CCTV footage, station officials said the CCTV cameras are not in a working from October 27.

According to Priyanka, who was with Tara a few hours before the incident on Wednesday said, the victim had gone to a petty shop near the T Nagar police station to exchange higher denomination notes. “We refuse to believe that she killed herself. She was full of life and a confident person. She worked for the upliftment of our community through Snegidhi (an LGBT collective). She went to the police station empty handed. How could she have set herself ablaze?” said Priyanka. 

During a demonstration held outside the police outpost at KMC, Mythili, another transgender, slit her throat condemning the death. She was treated at KMC hospital and later discharged. 

Dr C Narayanababu, dean, KMCH said soon after the treatment, Mythili fled the hospital. We have filed an absconding case with the police.