Protesting against the allotment of a few cents of land in their locality to transgenders, residents of Chinnavedampatti near Saravanampatti in the city did not allow the Revenue Department personnel to clear the land or take measurements of the site on Friday. Revenue personnel had to leave the venue due to the protest.
Revenue Department sources said that about three months ago the District Collector had handed over patta to 29 transgenders to build houses on the 35 cents of land. But the local residents opposed the move saying that they wanted the land to be utilised for common facilities.
One of the residents, K. Karthikeyan, said that those living in the neighbourhood wanted the Government poramboke land to be used for establishing common facilities such as primary health centre or a playground for the nearby elementary school. Moreover the authorities failed to inform the people on their proposal to hand over the land to transgenders.
“They should have formally announced through town criers and also obtained signatures from the people on it. But they were not done. We came to know about it and petitioned the Chief Minister’s Special Cell and District Administration about the issue and we are yet to get a response,” he said.
Revenue officials denied claims by residents and added that the required formalities were properly followed. An official said that they tried to clean the portion of land with an earth mover, when the residents protested. As tense moments prevailed, Saravanampatti Police rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control. A police officer said that talks would soon be held with the residents before clearing the piece of land. Residents have also decided to take up the issue with the authorities concerned.
Transgenders upset
Protest by the residents has upset the transgender beneficiaries. One of the beneficiaries, S. Poonguzhali (40), secretary, Coimbatore District Transgenders Welfare Association, told The Hindu that they got the land after a struggle for more than 14 years. She expressed disappointment that all transgenders were being branded as anti-social elements for the mistakes committed by a few. She herself is a cook.
Ms. Poonguzhali said that 30 transgenders were given house sites with green houses at Mettupalayam. At Anamalai, 25 persons were given house sites and they have applied for green houses. She said that own house is a step for social uplift of the third gender who are facing difficulty in getting a house for rent. “We also pay a rent more than what a family pays because we are transgenders,” she added. “Since the residents of Chinnavedampatti have failed to understand us, we will meet the new District Collector and petition our grievances with the hope of getting a house of our own,” she added.
