Police baton charge transgender protesters

HARIPUR:

The Haripur police allegedly tortured several transgender persons at a protest organised on GT Road. The transgender community had gathered near the Karakoram Highway to rally for their rights. They had reportedly blocked the road and were raising slogans against the police.

The protestors claimed that the police had imposed restrictions on the transgender community and were harassing them. They complained that by preventing them from organising entertainment programmes, the police were depriving them of employment.

The police intervened to stop the protest in compliance with the provisions of Section 144, which had been implemented across Murree. When the protestors resisted, the police resorted to using force and baton charge to drive them away. Two transgender persons as well as police personnel were injured in the clash. The injured were shifted to the hospital. Several transgenders were arrested and transferred to the city police station.