Assault on LGBTQ activists: 2 arrested

Two persons were arrested by the Peroorkada police on Friday in connection with an assault on two transgender activists at Ambalamukku the previous night.

The police identified the accused as Bibin, 24, of Kudappanakunnu, and Nikesh, 29, of Nettayam.

They were allegedly part of a gang which waylaid social activist Diya Sana, a member of the District Transgender Justice Board, and transman R. Dev, an official of the State Transgender Cell under the Social Justice Department.

The alleged incident took place at the Ambalamukku junction around 10.15 p.m. on Thursday when the two activists were leaving an ATM kiosk.

Two others, identified as Pramod and Akhil, who were part of the gang, allegedly hurled abuses and manhandled them. They, however, managed to escape and are still at large.

Victims in hospital

Both the injured are being treated at the government hospital at Peroorkada. Those arrested have been booked under provisions of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to sexual harassment and assault with intent to outrage modesty, the police said.