Coimbatore: Transgenders stopping two-wheelers at traffic signals to pester and snatch money from motorists in the Thudiyalur Police Station Limit has been a common sight in the city.
Coimbatore: Transgenders stopping two-wheelers at traffic signals to pester and snatch money from motorists in the Thudiyalur Police Station Limit has been a common sight in the city.
But the audacity displayed by the transgenders at a public event recently to snatch money has shocked the city.
Though oppressed by society and most often failing to gain acceptance in the community, several transgenders have led the way courageously against all odds to emerge successful in various streams in today's world. But the audacious display of a few groups of transgenders stopping men in two-wheelers and hounding them even when riding with their families to extort money and snatching anything that they can lay their hands on has disturbed motorists in the city.
But the sheer arrogance of two transgenders who entered a private indoor sporting event called FX being held in Kavundampalayam and snatched 16,000 rupees from the organiser of the event pretending to talk to him shocked both organisers and the public. In spite of repeated requests to return the money, it is alleged that the transgenders refused.
The public rallied behind the organisers immediately and demanded the transgenders to immediately return the money warning them that the police would be called to intervene, if they refuse. Angered by the ultimatum, the transgenders reportedly began stripping and arguing with the public, half-naked. There was a furore at the spot but since the public did not relent, the transgenders returned the money and fled from the spot.
The Thudiyalur police were informed and are investigating the case. The public in the area complained that the transgenders have become a nuisance over the years. They questioned the safety of the area citing that if the transgenders had the courage to snatch money at a public event, how will motorists travelling alone at nights be safe.
The public also alleged that they were prostituting themselves to lure the youth to rob them off their money and belongings. The Thudiyalur public demanded to know why the Thudiyalur police had turned a blind eye to these incidents and urged the District Superintendent of Police Sujith Kumar to intervene and put an end to the menace.