Unequal treatment: Transgenders accuse police of torture
Claim cops stopped them, stole cash and mobile phones after thrashing them.
File photo of transgenders. PHOTO: AFP
HARIPUR:
A group of transgenders has accused Haripur police of torturing and humiliating them publicly.
Speaking to journalists, Haripur Shemale Association General Secretary Stylish Bibi and Arsalan alias Chahat said they were on their way home from Khalabat Township after attending a wedding on Sunday evening when policemen intercepted them near Sheranwala Gate and dragged them out.
“We showed them our identity cards besides telling them the purpose of our visit to Khalabat Township but they harassed us and then beat us up,” alleged Chahat, showing bruises on her face and other parts of the body. Chahat said she would be able to identify the policemen if they were brought in front of her, claiming the cops also took away their mobile phones, Rs31,000 in cash and jewellery.
The transgenders said the incident is in violation of their rights and that under the law they were entitled to equal treatment as any other citizen. The alleged victims of police maltreatment said they informed the City police about the incident but they have yet to take any action.
The City police, however, denied the involvement of any of their staff in the affair and asked the transgenders to identity the culprits so action could be taken against them.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2014.
A group of transgenders has accused Haripur police of torturing and humiliating them publicly.
Speaking to journalists, Haripur Shemale Association General Secretary Stylish Bibi and Arsalan alias Chahat said they were on their way home from Khalabat Township after attending a wedding on Sunday evening when policemen intercepted them near Sheranwala Gate and dragged them out.
“We showed them our identity cards besides telling them the purpose of our visit to Khalabat Township but they harassed us and then beat us up,” alleged Chahat, showing bruises on her face and other parts of the body. Chahat said she would be able to identify the policemen if they were brought in front of her, claiming the cops also took away their mobile phones, Rs31,000 in cash and jewellery.
The transgenders said the incident is in violation of their rights and that under the law they were entitled to equal treatment as any other citizen. The alleged victims of police maltreatment said they informed the City police about the incident but they have yet to take any action.
The City police, however, denied the involvement of any of their staff in the affair and asked the transgenders to identity the culprits so action could be taken against them.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2014.