Complaints of threats by transgenders on trains in Chennai: SP holds talks with NGO representatives

CHENNAI: Following complaints of snatching money and threats by transgender people on moving trains in Chennai, railway superintendent V Ponramu held talks with the representatives of Sahodaran (an NGO working for the welfare of the transgender community) on Friday to discourage them from indulging in such practices.
"We received a number of complaints on the GRP helpline that transgender people forcefully take away money from passengers on suburban as well as express trains and that they hurl abuses on passengers who refuse to give them money. In some cases, they have snatched cash from the passengers and fled. So, we wanted to send this message that it is not acceptable. I spoke to representatives of Sahodaran,” said Ponramu.
In April, two incidents of passengers losing Rs 15,000 to transgender people were reported in Perambur and Vyasarpadi.
Sudha, a transgender woman and is associated with Sahodaran's activities, said, "We have been working to reform the community by finding them alternative jobs. The number of transgenders seeking alms has come down, but we want to eradicate the practice. We will discourage transgenders from indulging in offences. We have assured the officials as an organisation that we will not support transgenders indulging in offences and that police can perform their duty without any hindrances," she said after the meeting.