Transgenders help victims of police firing at Thoothukudi hospital

The copper smelting plant operated by Sterlite Copper, which was operated for more than 20 years in Thoothukudi, had invited the wrath of the people of Thoothukudi as they claimed that plant had caused cancer and damaged the environment. After the news of expansion of the plant, the protest became more vigorous, which was initially started by the residents of Kumareddiyapuram.

On the 100th day of the protest, people from all sections of Thoothukudi participated in a demonstration which witnessed violence in form of police firing. About 13 people were killed in the firing, sending out shock waves across the country.

Participation of a section of the transgenders in the stir included a separate band of protesters led by them, right from Our Lady of Snows Shrine Basilica, locally called as ‘Matha Church’. They raised slogans against Sterlite, which attracted several protesters. However, they too were not spared by the police as they too were caned by them. Following treatment, they were back on the field and did not deter them from helping the injured victims in Thoothukudi GH. 

Speaking to DT Next, Aarthi, a transgender from Thoothukudi, said that usually they were marginalised and so they too did not participate in any of the protests against Sterlite. But, when they finally participated in the protest they were welcomed by the people. This served as an encouragement to them. On the day of protest a section of transgenders started from Matha Church and were joined by another section of transgenders at VVD signal, where the police caned them.