AGARTALA: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) in Tripura lodged an FIR against the policemen on duty on Saturday night at West Agartala police station where four of their members were allegedly harassed and detained for the entire night.
The FIR was filed against an accredited photojournalist along with police personnel who harassed four of them physically and mentally in the police station. It stated that when four LGBTQ friends had come out from a hotel at night, a photojournalist who was allegedly following them, waylaid them on the road and started asking uncomfortable questions.
He was soon joined by a few policemen who taunted them about their dress, lifestyle, character and gender shamed them," the FIR stated, adding, "The photographer tried to touch us and forcefully wanted to dance with us inside the hotel. The reporter was following us from the dance floor and continuously taunting us."
"We were taken to the West Agartala Women police station at night, where we were yet again harassed by police officials, both by men and women. We were told by the police to disrobe and the most embarrassing and hurtful part was that the police kept our wigs and inner garments," the FIR alleged.
"The police officials also forced us to write a statement that we will never cross dress or do wear make-up and if we are found in this attire anywhere in the city, we might be arrested. We were charged with extortion. We filed an FIR detailing everything, if action is not taken immediately, we shall move court and resort to agitation across the country seeking justice," said one of the victims.
She also demanded legal action against a few social media channels, including two news web portals, which had made the entire video of their harassment viral. However, an on-duty police officer said that they have registered the complaint and brought the matter to the notice of higher authorities seeking advice about the next proceedings.
