• Guwahati Police arrests 22 transgender persons in a citywide operation.
• Action follows complaints alleging extortion and intimidation.
• Police cite Supreme Court judgments and MHA guidelines.
• Certificates and identity documents to undergo verification.

GG News Bureau
Guwahati, 14th Nov: A Guwahati police operation has resulted in the arrest of 22 transgender persons following multiple public complaints alleging extortion, criminal intimidation and vulgar activities at traffic junctions and public events.

Joint Police Commissioner Ankur Jain said on Friday that teams formed under the three district Deputy Commissioners of Police carried out the coordinated operation across the city.

Jain said the action was conducted in accordance with Supreme Court judgments and the latest Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines concerning transgender-related matters. He stressed that alleged criminal activities would be dealt with irrespective of an individual’s gender identity.

He added that police personnel had been assigned to handle cases involving transgender persons, taking into account whether individuals identified as transgender men or transgender women.

According to Jain, the 22 persons apprehended during the operation were subsequently produced before a court.

Responding to questions about allegations that some individuals were falsely identifying themselves as transgender, Jain said police had asked those arrested to produce certificates issued by the designated committee.

He said the certificates and identity documents would be verified to establish their authenticity.