Cross dressers, Hijras extort Hyderabad families, people call for police help

Hyderabad: Residents of Hyderabad and Cyberabad are claiming that ‘crossdressers’ and members of the hijra community are allegedly engaging in extortion while forcefully barging into private ceremonies and events in the twin cities.

Modus operandi of extortion gangs

- As per eyewitness reports, gangs collect information on dates of functions at public halls and tent houses. They pay a certain amount to informers like auto drivers and tent house owners.

- They also do recce of new apartments and commercial complexes and target various family events such as housewarming ceremonies, the inauguration of shops and malls, birthdays, births in family, social gatherings, weddings etc.

- They arrive in the middle of the function which embarrasses the owner enough to pay them to leave and avoid embarrassment.

- They fix a price like Rs 1 lakh for the hosts to pay or threaten to strip or brawl.

- Each gang has a leader and after the payment, the leader’s name and signature are written on the wall.

- They seem not to care even when calls to the police are made. Pay them less and they come back with others, say eyewitnesses.

Incidents of coercive tactics

Several disturbing incidents have been reported, illustrating the coercive tactics employed by the extortion gangs.

- During a housewarming function, two persons claiming to be from the hijra community demanded Rs 51,000 from the host. Despite attempts to negotiate, the situation escalated, with threats of public indecency and physical violence. Ultimately, the host’s family paid Rs 5,000 to avoid further escalation.

- A group crashed a housewarming ceremony in Sainikpuri and demanded Rs 1,00,000 from the host. When the host didn’t oblige, they allegedly lifted their skirts and started urinating in the corridors of her home.

“I was shocked and scared when this happened. I didn’t expect them to go to such lengths when we didn’t oblige. In the end, we had to pay them Rs 25,000 because they wouldn’t budge,” said Ann Sunil, the host.

- In this incident, a group claiming to be hijras barged into the opening of a dance school in Malkajgiri and demanded a large sum of money. When the owner refused and asked them to leave, they started stripping and wailing loudly.

Smitha Agarwal, the owner stated “The situation was terrifying. They barged in and demanded an absurd amount of money. We felt helpless. When I refused, they started stripping. They didn’t even stop to think that my students were watching all of this, some as young as 5 years old. They were traumatised and had to hide under tables.”

- Public harassment and extortion by a group of transgender persons escalated near ORR, opposite Hyderabad House restaurant. Witnesses reported that the group targeted men for money, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. When a concerned individual questioned their actions, they were met with aggression and the group physically assaulted them.

@CPBlr public harrasing and extortion by these eunuchs/transgenders is increasing day by day. ORR. Opp. Hyderabad House restaurant, a group of these were harrasing men for money. When I questioned, they literally pounced on me. This has to stop immediately sir. @DgpKarnataka

— GEETHA GOWDA/ಗೀತ ಗೌಡ (@GowdaGeetha) February 3, 2024

- In Kondapur, a resident fell victim to extortion by gangs who claimed to be members of the hijra community, resulting in the loss of Rs 30,000. Residents were alarmed to witness the arrival of these gangs, comprising 20-30 members, around midnight. Despite the late hour, the gangs operated with impunity, instilling fear in the community. Concerned individuals took to social media, tagging local authorities and seeking assistance from the media and police.

#Hijda gangs extorted 30,000 rupees from my neighbour.This is in kondapur.Alarming to see them arrive at midnight 1'o clock in gangs of 20-30 members.@hydcitypolice @TheNaveenaCan we get any help from the media or Police?@INCTelangana A new Mafia in rise in hyd. pic.twitter.com/bheuu5yTp4

— TheRealLifeSquidward (@karthikgol) March 28, 2024

Frustration and calls for action

The residents have expressed frustration over the lack of legal recourse and the perceived indifference of law enforcement authorities towards the issue. Attempts to resist or bargain with the extortion gang result in further harassment, as the gangs retaliate by escalating the situation or spreading information to other groups.

Voicing their concerns, a resident emphasised the need for support from authorities, stating, “The lack of response from authorities is disheartening. We need their support to put an end to this menace.”

The incidents have sparked outrage among residents, who demand immediate action from law enforcement authorities to curb such extortion practices. Concerns have been raised about the safety and security of residents during community events, prompting calls for increased vigilance and intervention to address the issue.

“Failure to address the situation could lead to further exploitation and harassment, undermining the peace and tranquillity of the neighbourhood,” concluded a resident.