Telangana gig workers union urges action against gang targeting transgender community

Hyderabad: An organised criminal gang is being accused of repeated atrocities against transgender persons in Cyberabad, Hyderabad, and Rachakonda Commissionerates.

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union has raised alarm in a statement over these brutalities which have intensified since the beginning of 2023.

“The gang, led by individuals identified as Arjun Singh, Jameel, Puppala Sagar, Shashi and Munna, has been implicated in numerous violent acts against the transgender community,” the statement read.

Criminal activities documented

Several incidents of violence, extortion and sexual assault against transgender persons have been reported in recent times:

Lynching: On July 12, 2024, SH was lynched to death by the gang in Fatehnagar. “The assailants video-called other transgender persons to show the victim’s disfigured body, further intimidating the community,” the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union stated.

Sexual Assault and Robbery: Multiple cases of sexual assault and robbery have been reported. In one such example, A was assaulted and robbed by nine goons in September 2023. F was attacked by nine gang members in Suraram Colony due to which she lost her handbag containing Rs 10,000 and her mobile phone.

Ongoing Harassment: C alleges six years of harassment by the gang, with accusations of police personnel being compromised. E, a 27-year-old transgender person, was thrashed and had her mobile stolen in October 2023.

Threats and Physical Attacks: On October 17, 2023, P was attacked at home, with an attempt to murder her by dangling her from a balcony. O was threatened to be burned alive by Munna on October 18, 2023. “It’s not just about losing money; it’s about the trauma and fear that follow such attacks,” read the statement.

Demands submitted to police

In response to these atrocities, a detailed complaint was submitted to Shikha Goel, the Additional Director General of Police, Women’s Safety Wing, on July 11, 2024. This was aimed at precluding further violence by alerting the highest police functionaries.

The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union has put forward several demands to the Telangana Police:

Consolidation of Crimes: All atrocities and illegal acts by the gang should be consolidated.

Community Meetings: Scheduled meetings with transgender community leaders to instil confidence and ensure their safety.

FIR Registrations: All new complaints should be registered and complainants should receive certified copies of the FIRs.

Task Force Formation: A task force should be constituted for a concerted investigation of all FIRs related to the gang.

Police Protection: Immediate steps should be taken to protect transgender persons from life threats.

Preventive Detention: The accused should be detained under the Telangana Preventive Detention Act, 1986 and Telangana Goondas Act, 1984.

Biweekly Updates: Police leadership should offer biweekly updates to the media and the transgender communities on the progress of these cases.

“Transgender persons in Telangana are living in constant fear. The police must act swiftly to safeguard our lives and rights. We hope this complaint will prompt immediate and decisive action to protect the community,” said Shaik Salauddin, founder-president of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union.

Demands submitted to the government

The Union also urged the Government of Telangana to:

Legislation for Reservations: Enact comprehensive legislation granting 5 per cent clustered horizontal and interlocking reservations for transgender persons across public education, employment, PSUs, and government schemes.

Anti-Atrocities Legislation: Enact comprehensive anti-atrocities, anti-discrimination, and anti-hate crime legislation for LGBTIQ++ and transgender persons.

Scholarships and Stipends: Issue government orders granting aid, scholarships, and stipends to transgender students without age bar.

Horizontal Reservation in Schemes: Ensure all government schemes reserve 5 per cent for transgender persons.

“The Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union’s detailed documentation of crimes and subsequent demands highlight the urgent need for systemic protection and support for transgender persons in Telangana,” the statement concluded.

The Union calls for immediate and effective action to end the ongoing violence and ensure justice for the victims.