Most of the members of the transgender community indulge in begging, bordering on extortion, said SHO of Kancharapalem Police Station Vishnu Raghuveer. “There are 100 transgenders housed in a three-storey building owned by Vasupalli Yellaji, a one time rowdy-sheeter, in Dharma Nagar,” Mr. Vishnu said. “The inmates are taught to coerce people at main traffic junctions into parting with money in the garb of begging, and the amount ranges from Rs.10 to Rs.100. In the case of shops and establishments, it starts at Rs.5,000. If denied, they become abusive and even violent, as most of them come drunk,” he said.
“We have received a number of complaints from shop owners and general public. We arrested eight of them in the recent times. But if things continue, we will not hesitate to book them under serious sections such as extortion,” Mr. Vishnu told The Hindu .
To create awareness and wean them away from crime, the SHO convened a meeting on Thursday with members of the community and shop owners who were victims of extortion. Speaking at the meeting, a transgender, Julie (name changed), denied the role of Yellaji. Lakshmi (name changed) said that they had taken to begging as they were disowned by family members and society. “We admit that there are a few bad elements in our community. We will warn them. Provide us housing and a source of living and we will leave the profession,” said Lakshmi.
Mr. Vishnu assured to take up their case with NGOs.
