Newly-formed Cyberabad transgender helpdesk tracks down missing trans person

Hyderabad: The transgender helpdesk at the Gachibowli police station helped track down a transgender person who had run away from home. The helpdesk has received seven complaints so far since it was set up on 6 August.

Of the seven complaints received through direct calls, through police stations, or WhatsApp two were FIRs and five were counselling.

On 10 March, the helpdesk received a petition from the parents of a missing transgender person. The parents said their son wanted to transition to a woman but since they were against the decision the person had left home and joined a transgender community in LB Nagar. The parents filed a missing case at Shadnagar police station. The police managed to track down the person and took them back home. This happened four more times

Again, without informing the parents, the person left home and went to Siddipet. The parents then filed a missing case at the Gachibowli transgender helpdesk. A team tracked the person to Siddipet and brought them back. Counselling was given to the person and their parents. The helpdesk also gave the person a job.

Many transgender persons have sent messages through Whatsapp appreciating the work done by the transgender helpdesk. The helpdesk has requested all transgenders who are victims of teasing, stalking, or any other atrocity from the public or those facing issues from the community itself to approach the helpdesk. They can either send WhatApp messages to 9490617121 or directly walk in, Dial 100, send an e-mail to transgender.cybsuprt121@gmail.com or connect through Twitter @TransgenderCyb2, Instagram transgendercybsupport, or Facebook at Transgender Cyberabad Support.

The Cyberabad police commissioner V.C Sajjanar had inaugurated the first-of-its-kind transgender helpdesk at Gachibowli police station earlier this month, It was set up in collaboration with the Society for Cyberabad Security Council and Prajwala.