Arrested for performing: Transgender people protest

MARDAN: The transgender community protested against City police for arresting locals performing at a wedding ceremony in Bijli Ghar, Mardan. Many people who are transgender gathered in front of Mardan Press Club and protested on Saturday. They held placards inscribed with slogans against police and made demands for protection and security for all. “Three of us including Waheed (Anmool), Ihtisham (Strawberry) and Shehzad (Wara) were performing at Shehzad’s wedding on Friday night, when police raided and arrested all them,” said a local who wished to remain anonymous. Police also arrested the groom and his friends for aerial firing in the area. The protesters demanded government officials provide them protection. People from Peshawar also participated in the protest.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2015.